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Cosmopolis council weighs extending policing contract with Aberdeen amid staffing and budget strains
Summary
At a Nov. 5 workshop, Cosmopolis officials reviewed a proposed extension of an interlocal policing agreement with Aberdeen. Cosmopolis’ police chief and Aberdeen’s chief described service levels, potential three‑year terms and estimated annual savings of about $200,000; council expects a formal vote next meeting.
Cosmopolis held a workshop Nov. 5 to discuss modifying and extending an interlocal agreement for law-enforcement services with the Aberdeen Police Department. Mayor opened the meeting and introduced Chief Layman to summarize the city’s fiscal and staffing challenges.
Chief Layman told the council recruitment and retention have become untenable locally, saying the city “might have had enough money to have an officer be on payroll … but not enough money to hire them, not enough money to send them to the academy, not enough money to put them through field training.” He recommended the Aberdeen contract as “the best choice,” citing Aberdeen’s familiarity with Cosmopolis and a lower-than-expected bid.
Aberdeen Chief Green described how his department would deliver services if the contract is approved, emphasizing a community-oriented approach. “We’re big proponents of serving with compassion,” Green said, adding officers would issue warnings and educational notices as part of a transition and that Aberdeen can provide detective support for serious cases. He also said Aberdeen can expand volunteer “VIP” patrols and use radar-signal devices to help reduce speeding.
Finance staff and a presenter estimated the interlocal agreement would yield roughly $200,000 in annual savings for Cosmopolis, though they cautioned insurance-rate impacts and sales-tax questions remain to be clarified. Council members asked whether Aberdeen officers will be familiar with Cosmopolis ordinances; presenters noted most municipal codes align and officers can reference local code in the field.
Council discussion also covered contract length. Staff and council members said a multi-year contract (two to three years was suggested) would provide budget stability; Aberdeen representatives said a three-year term had been discussed. Staff warned a pending change in state tax law could require sales tax to be assessed on some services, which would affect the final price.
The council did not adopt the contract at the workshop and signaled it will take up a formal vote at the next meeting after clarifying insurance, sales-tax and final contract language. In the meantime, staff said municipal-court arrangements would remain separate unless the council decides otherwise and suggested the city attorney be consulted on statutory restraints.
