PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County commissioners have approved a resolution declaring an emergency in order to fast-track a new food service contract for the Jefferson County Jail.
The county jail has been without a cook since May 2, and a replacement has not been found, according to an agenda request from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Currently, jail Superintendent Steve Richmond has been preparing meals for the current population of 38 inmates, along with keeping the jail’s kitchen clean and stocked.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Richmond has worked every day with no days off since May 2.
As part of the commissioners’ consent agenda, an emergency was declared that allows the jail to fast-track a contract with Summit Food Service LLC of Albuquerque, N.M. The agreement will be valid through December and will allow the jail to have a more sustainable meal plan.
The estimated cost of the contract is $94,000 for six months. That does not include opening charges, which are expected to not exceed $500.
The commissioners approved both the emergency declaration and the proposed contract as part of their consent agenda Monday morning. Information on the jail’s food service before May 2 was not immediately available Monday.
The cost will be taken out of the county’s existing food service budget of $160,231 for 2017. However, the approved resolution did stipulate a potential need for a supplemental appropriation in the third or fourth quarter of 2017.
Summit will take over the jail’s kitchens starting Saturday at the latest.
Along with the food service contract, the county also approved a number of other expenditures.
The Jefferson County Animals Shelter will be getting a new roof this year for $8,269; the Center Road overlay project in Chimacum was approved for a $681,102 contract with Lakeside Industries; and the Quilcene Complete Streets Project was approved for $16,229 in civil engineering services from SCJ Alliance, making it a $24,659 project total.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
