Hayden — The Hayden City Council voted to solicit proposals for a strategic-planning consultant to assess the city’s law-enforcement needs and the costs of possible service models, a step council members said is intended to produce objective data amid proposed changes to the county contract.

The council approved the non-binding action 3–1, with Council President Rotor, Council Member Schafer and Council Member DePries voting in favor and Council Member White voting no. The action authorizes staff to review proposals; contracting would require a separate later vote.

The item followed public comments urging careful cost analysis and consideration of local accountability. “I would like the council to consider the expenses of what it would incur for a police department for our city as opposed to continuing the contract with the sheriff’s office,” said Linda Cross, a Hayden resident, who listed personnel, training, facility and long-term liability costs. Dan Cross, a 32-year law-enforcement veteran, warned that changing the chain of accountability for a chief can alter enforcement priorities.

Council members split over whether a consultant is an appropriate use of funds. A council member who identified himself as Ed argued for an objective analysis, saying the study would create options and reduce emotionally driven decisions: “This is about creating options,” he said. Council Member Sandy said voters had earlier approved a sheriff’s levy and said the city should not spend money on a consultant, saying she would vote no.

Mayor cautioned that the solicitation is a fact-finding step, not a contract award. “We don’t have any predetermined outcome of this. This is just fact finding and giving us good hard data,” the mayor said.

Next steps: staff will solicit and return with proposals for the council’s review and a subsequent decision on whether to hire a consultant or pursue alternative actions.