PORT ANGELES — In what was described as a “milestone,” Clallam County has finalized agreements with the cites of Port Angeles and Sequim for consolidated misdemeanor criminal justice services.
County commissioners voted 3-0 Tuesday to approve a $320,000 agreement with Sequim to handle that city’s non-felony cases in Clallam County District Court No. 1.
The Sequim City Council gave the green light to an all-in-one court and jail services contract Nov. 9.
Clallam County and the city of Port Angeles have inked a similar agreement, but with a flat fee of $800,000 from the city to the county for services in 2016.
Both agreements have provisions for cost of living raises in subsequent years.
County officials have said the agreements will save both cities money and represent a fiscal wash for the county, which is adding two attorneys and two other employees to the prosecuting attorney’s office.
Efficiency upgrade
The benefit to the county is having a more efficient municipal law and justice system, officials have said.
“This is really a milestone,” Commissioner Jim McEntire said at Tuesday’s business meeting.
“When you can do things in a way that saves the public some money, deliver the same kind of service, do it more efficiently, require less in the way of resources, that is a signal achievement.”
The difference in pricing for the two cities is based on population and the number of cases that originate in those jurisdictions.
“Many thanks to Prosecutor [Mark] Nichols, Sheriff [Bill] Benedict and Administrator [Jim] Jones for bringing these agreements forward and working in a more collaborative, cost-effective approach to criminal justice services,” Commissioner Mike Chapman said.
“We would be remiss not to mention Judge [Rick] Porter in his role as a public official as well. His support was also extremely key.”
Jones had been working behind the scenes with city officials on misdemeanor consolidation for several years.
“Whenever there was a rough spot, [Jones] was able to smooth over it and keep it going forward,” Benedict said.
“Quite frankly, I was a little bit skeptical that we would see this this year.”
Said Jones: “It took five years, but we got it done.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
