Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
6j
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
December 10, 2019
DATE: October 14, 2019
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Rod Covey, Chief of Police
Mike Villa, Deputy Chief of Police
SUBJECT: King County Public Safety Interlocal Agreement
Amount of this request:
$700,000
Original interlocal agreement estimated cost:
$1,700,000
Revised total cost estimate:
$2,400,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for additional funds in the amount of $700,000 for services
provided by King County in conjunction with the King County public safety interlocal agreement
with the Port.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In March of 2013, the Commission approved the 2012-2020 Interlocal Agreement between King
County and the Port of Seattle for Jail Services. The estimated total project cost for the eight-year
ILA was $1,700,000. Jail costs have escalated beyond our original projections and we have
exhausted our authorized amount. Therefore, we need additional funds to continue to receive
jail services.
We are forecasting additional jail costs of $100,000 in 2019 and costs of $450,000 in 2020. While
the average monthly costs are $36,000, we have spent close to $50,000 during a single month.
We are therefore requesting the Commission authorize an additional $150,000. The total
authorization requested is $700,000 for jail services to ensure sufficient funding through
December of 2020.
A new ILA between King County and the Port of Seattle will be proposed in 2020 for jail services
for the proceeding years.
JUSTIFICATION
In March of 2013, the Commission approved the 2012-2020 Interlocal Agreement between King
County and the Port of Seattle for Jail Services. The estimated total project cost for the eight-year
ILA, beginning January 1 of 2013, and ending December 31 of 2020, was $1,700,000. This amount
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6j Page 2 of 3
Meeting Date: December 10, 2019
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
is insufficient as back in 2012 we did not foresee the rapid increase in enplanements, expansion
of the airport, associated criminal activity and higher escalation of jail costs.
King County Jail service costs have increased over the last couple years. Jail payments were
$282,577 in 2016, $281,617 in 2017, and $258,569 in 2018. As of August 31, 2019, our year to
date expenditures are over $349,000. Our monthly average invoice from September 1, 2018, to
August 31, 2019, is $36,000.
This increase in jail cost is due to a variety of factors, not limited to but including the following:
• Arrests and bookings into King County Jail have increased from 2017 to 2019. From July
1, 2017, to June 30, 2018, we booked 228 persons into King County Jail. During the same
period from 2018 to 2019 we booked 268 persons. This is a 17.5% increase.
• Jail cost for psychiatric care has increased from 2017 to 2019. Total cost in 2017 was
$32,993 for 215 inmates. Cost as of June 30, 2019, for 166 inmates has already exceeded
that amount at $39,449. Psychiatric cost per inmate has increased 54%.
• King County has increased our booking and detention fees by 10% from 2017 to 2019.
All these factors combined has put us on track to spend approximately $450,000 this year for jail
services.
The Port of Seattle’s mission and agenda includes maintaining a safe gateway for travelers
coming through the airport and seaport. Unfortunately, that requires, at times, that when a crime
is committed, that we arrest and book persons into King County Jail. As stated above, the number
of arrest and the fees have increased. While it is difficult to determine the number of persons we
will book in any given year, we have no reason to suspect that the cost will decrease.
We have now exhausted the $1,700,00 authorized in 2013 for the eight-year ILA. Therefore, we
need additional funds to continue to receive jail services.
We need an additional $100,000 in 2019 and projected costs of $450,000 in 2020. While the
average monthly costs are $36,000, we have spent close to $50,000 during a single month. We
are therefore requesting the Commission to authorize an additional of $150,000 to ensure
sufficient funding through December of 2020. The total authorization requested is $700,000.
DETAILS
Scope of Work
If the authorization is granted, jail services will continue under the current ILA without
interruption.
A new ILA between King County and the Port of Seattle will be proposed in 2020 for jail services
for the proceeding years.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6j Page 3 of 3
Meeting Date: December 10, 2019
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Staff is in the process of exploring an ILA with the SCORE Jail. However, SCORE is in the process
of restructuring its fees and cost savings are undetermined.
Another alternative is to arrest and book less persons. Officers currently screen each arrest to
determine if there are alternatives to booking and will continue to do so unless funding is not
approved.
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate
$0
$1,700,000
$1,700,000
Current change
0
700,000
700,000
Revised estimate
0
2,400,000
2,400,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
0
1,700,000
1,700,000
Current request for authorization
0
700,000
700,000
Total authorizations, including this request
0
2,400,000
2,400,000
Remaining amount to be authorized
$0
$700,000
$700,000
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
The Police Department budgets for jail services each year. It budgeted $260,000 in 2019 and
$360,000 in 2020. The department will absorb the additional expenditures in both 2019 and 2020
within its approved budget.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Interlocal Agreement Between King County and the Port of Seattle for Jail Services
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
March 26, 2013 – The Commission authorized entering into an eight-year interlocal
agreement with King County for use of the King County Jail. The total cost for this
agreement with a three-percent annual increase for eight years will be approximately
$1,700,000.