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Council renews MOU with U.S. Marshals fugitive task force; administrators stress it's not ICE-related
Summary
The council approved a one-year renewal with the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force / U.S. Marshals Service to allow reimbursement of officer overtime for fugitive operations (maximum reimbursement cited as $30,000). City administrators said the agreement concerns fugitive apprehension and is separate from ICE activities; they will add clarifying language to future renewals.
The Huntsville City Council approved a renewal of the memorandum of understanding with the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force / U.S. Marshals Service on Dec. 18.
City Administrator Sean Hamilton explained the agreement covers reimbursement available to the city when Huntsville Police Department officers participate in fugitive-apprehension operations alongside the U.S. Marshals. "What the agreement provides is funding that that agency has available to reimburse us for overtime if our officers are needed to participate in the operations and use overtime," Hamilton said.
Hamilton said the maximum reimbursement under the agreement is $30,000 and that the city has been part of the task force for more than 20 years. He told council members that the city is adding explanatory language to make renewal documents more standalone and transparent to the public.
Councilmember Watkins sought and received clarification that the MOU does not involve Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "So to be clear, this has nothing to do with ICE, correct?" Watkins asked. Hamilton replied that the task force work is specifically about fugitives from justice and not ICE enforcement.
Council approved the renewal on voice vote. Council members asked staff to provide historical data on participation and reimbursements.
