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Washington City Council amends code to allow Wilkes County sheriff to serve when contracted
Summary
On March 9, 2026, the Washington City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the Code of Ordinances replacing the term "chief of police" with "chief of police, or the Sheriff of Wilkes County if contracted to provide law enforcement services." The motion was moved by Councilman Newton Gunter and seconded by Councilman David Fisher.
The Washington City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the city's Code of Ordinances on March 9, 2026, clarifying that when the city contracts law-enforcement services, the Wilkes County Sheriff may be treated as the "chief of police." Councilman Newton Gunter moved the amendment, which Councilman David Fisher seconded, and the council recorded a unanimous vote in favor.
The change replaces the phrase "chief of police" throughout the Code with "chief of police, or the Sheriff of Wilkes County if contracted to provide law enforcement services," according to the motion introduced during the city attorney/business items portion of the meeting. The amendment was presented and voted on without extended debate.
City officials said the change is intended to align the Code with current contracting practices and remove ambiguity about authority and responsibilities when municipal law enforcement is provided under contract. The ordinance amendment will be incorporated into the city's codified ordinances and published according to the city's standard procedures for updating municipal code language.
No additional conditions or amendments were recorded at the meeting. The council did not specify an implementation date beyond standard codification and publication steps.
