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Okanogan County commissioners debate charging model, reserves for county drug task force
Summary
Commissioners, the sheriff and task-force staff spent an extended session reviewing reserves, historical spending and a proposed per-capita charge to cities and Ferry County to sustain the countywide drug task force. Staff modelled scenarios and commissioners asked for refined figures and a public meeting with cities.
Commissioners spent more than an hour on a countywide review of the multi-jurisdiction drug task force's budget, reserves and proposed billing formula.
County staff and task-force leaders presented spending histories and reserve balances, noting a current investment balance in the task-force fund and separate restricted federal-forfeiture funds. Board members pressed staff to recommend a sustainable reserve level; county staff said a two-year reserve would be roughly $400,000 based on historical annual spending around $200,000.
Multiple funding options were modelled. Using a $250,000 annual target, staff produced an example per-resident charge of about $5.05 across the participating jurisdictions (total population used in the model ~49,473). Commissioners discussed alternative calculations (per-capita using Okanogan city contract as a baseline, mileage surcharges for travel, and partial contributions where cities cannot supply personnel). The board also considered tribal participation and whether federal partners (Border Patrol) could contribute services rather than cash.
Commissioner discussion emphasized two aims: (1) keep the task force solvent and able to purchase evidence and support major investigations, and (2) make assessments equitable for small cities with limited budgets. The board asked for a refined spreadsheet showing several scenarios (examples at $200,000, $250,000 and $375,000 annual targets), tribal population inclusion/exclusion, and a proposed outreach meeting with affected city councils before the next budget decision.
No final county-wide rate was adopted on Oct. 7. The sheriff was authorized to carry the proposal to affected cities and to return with adjusted figures; commissioners asked staff to provide a per-capita table and a recommended reserve policy for the task force.
