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Supervisors direct attorney to draft letter to small cities over law-enforcement contracts
Summary
After one small city declined a per-capita contract for county law enforcement, supervisors authorized the county attorney to draft and send a written, trackable letter to mayors and councils asking for written responses and outlining potential legal avenues (including mandamus).
Jackson County officials asked the county attorney on June 30 to draft a written notice to small incorporated cities that have not entered law-enforcement contracts, after the city of La Motte declined a $25-per-capita agreement.
Deputy Jim Cracker and county counsel outlined the situation: the county has historically offered a per-capita policing agreement to small cities, and case law and state code provide mechanisms—including mandamus actions—to compel compliance if municipalities neglect statutory responsibilities. "There are a number of avenues," the county attorney said, and counsel described mandamus as a remedy that has been used and upheld. Supervisors agreed the county would first make written, trackable requests and avoid public shaming; if cities refuse in writing, the attorney will advise next steps. The board voted unanimously to have the county attorney prepare and send a letter to the affected city councils and mayors and to copy relevant officials.
