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Blaine County votes to end Ketchum policing contract; transition set for August
Summary
After Ketchum’s April 9 decision to reestablish a municipal force, the Blaine County Sheriff and commissioners voted unanimously April 28 to terminate the Joint Powers Agreement; County policing in Ketchum ends Aug. 2 with the new Ketchum Police Department taking over on Aug. 3, 2026.
Blaine County commissioners unanimously approved terminating the Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Ketchum for law enforcement services, after the city voted April 9 to create its own municipal police department.
Sheriff Morgan Ballis said the County served written notice on April 20, triggering a 120‑day transition. "The official last day of County policing services in Ketchum will be August 2nd, with the new Ketchum Police Department assuming operations on August 3rd," Ballis said. He added the County will retain evidence collected in Ketchum during the transition to protect ongoing cases and that three deputies assigned to Ketchum will be absorbed into County patrol following the change.
The Board invited public comment before the vote and received none. Commissioners voted to terminate the agreement while directing staff and legal counsel to work through outstanding transition issues, including billing, IT access, evidence custody procedures, and coordination of officer assignments.
Post‑transition, Ballis said, Blaine County will continue to provide support to Ketchum—such as K‑9 services, officer assists, and felony investigation assistance—without a dedicated active patrol presence in the city. The termination motion passed unanimously.
