Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8e
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
December 15, 2020
DATE: November 16, 2020
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Michael Villa, Acting Chief of Police
Jeff Selleg, Commander
SUBJECT: King County Jail Public Safety Interlocal Agreement (ILA)
Amount of this request:
$0
Total estimated project cost:
$320,000
(currently budgeted by Police Department)
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to approve the renewed King
County Jail Interlocal Agreement (ILA.) This will extend booking service for the King County Jail
ILA that expires December 31, 2020. The Port of Seattle Police Department is not seeking
additional funding for approval of this ILA.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Port of Seattle Police Department currently utilizes jail services under an ILA between the
Port of Seattle and King County. Due to this agreement, individuals who are arrested by Port of
Seattle Police Officers are processed and screened to determine whether they will be released
at the scene or booked into King County Jail. Several factors are used to determine the final
disposition of arrestees, including severity of the crime they are suspected of committing,
danger to the public, or a warranted mandate to book the suspect into jail.
To improve efficiency and effectiveness, as well as realize cost savings, the Port of Seattle Police
has requested a proposed ILA from the South Correctional Entity (SCORE), but logistically this
has proved near impossible due to roadblocks in the King County Prosecutor’s Office (KCPAO).
In the meantime, we ask that the Commission authorize the renewal of the King County Jail ILA
to avoid a gap in service with jail bookings. A draft ILA is attached and will be finalized by King
County in the next month. Port Legal will review prior to signature for material changes.
JUSTIFICATION
This project supports the following Long-Range Plan strategies and objectives for a High-
Performance Organization and the Century Agenda:
1. Improve Customer Service and Public Engagement (Long Range Strategy 1, Objective 1)
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 2 of 4
Meeting Date: December 15, 2020
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
2. Improve Process Efficiencies and Effectiveness (Long Range Strategy 1, Objective 2)
As the police department strives to support the mission of the Port of Seattle, we fight crime,
protect, and serve. Renewal of the ILA with King County will reduce the amount of time
waterfront officers are away during the booking process.
Diversity in Contracting
Both King County Jail and SCORE are public entities and do not adversely or positively impact
Diversity in Contracting goals.
DETAILS
Renewal of the current King County Jail ILA due to its proximity to the airport, where most of
the bookings originate. Potential savings are based on the SCORE fee structure. The police
department seeks to maintain the option of booking at King County Jail for our Seaport units, or
for extraordinary circumstances. While there are several differences in the fee structure
between King County Jail and SCORE (see Table 1), one example of cost savings is, SCORE does
not charge a booking fee. This will result in savings of $212.00 every time an arrestee is booked
into SCORE. Along with King County Jail’s higher daily maintenance fees, we project potential
annual savings of $136,201 by placing majority of our in-custody arrestees into SCORE.
(Assumptions: Daily POSPD Jail population: 2.58 average; Daily bookings: 1 average; 2
guaranteed beds at SCORE)
Table 1: Proposed King County Jail *
KING COUNTY
219.16
210.19
316.35
254.48
96.99 (KC ONLY)
* Proposed 2021 rates to be ratified by King County Council.
Schedule
Upon approval of the ILA by the Commission, service utilization will commence January 1, 2021.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 3 of 4
Meeting Date: December 15, 2020
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Using only SCORE Jail for booking services.
Cost Implications: There are several differences in the pricing structure between King County
Jail and SCORE, as noted in Table 1. Psychologic and Medical may differ significantly. KCPAO
refuses to establish teleconference court appearance services. All suspects booked into the
SCORE facility will require officers to return to SCORE and transport them to SW District Court
for first appearance and all subsequent judicial appointments. The department forecasts a
need to increase staffing to meet these transport requirements, which subsequently increases
costs.
Pros:
(1) SCORE is closer to the airport than King County Jail reducing travel time.
Cons:
(1) Extended travel time for seaport units.
(2) Significant impact on patrol resources transporting suspects between SCORE,
Southwest District Court in Burien and returning them to SCORE.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Stop booking misdemeanor arrestees.
Cost Implications: Less expensive overall. Potential costs are estimated at $320,000.
Pros:
(1) Highest cost savings overall.
Cons:
(1) Misdemeanor offenders would quickly determine there are no consequences for
committing low level crimes in our jurisdiction, quickly increasing our offender
population.
(2) Significant rise in criminal offenses within our jurisdiction.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 – Usage of both King County Jail under the existing ILA, and SCORE under new ILA
once logistical hurdles are overcome. This also requires renewing the King County Jail ILA.
Cost Implications: With majority of bookings overall occurring at SCORE, cost savings is still
realized by adding SCORE as a booking option.
Pros:
(1) Bridges the gap in booking alternatives while working with KCPAO.
(2) Provides more efficient booking options for both Airport and Seaport Police Units.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 4 of 4
Meeting Date: December 15, 2020
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Cons:
(1) The department continues to work with the KCPAO over the logistical requirements.
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The department is not requesting any additional funds. We expect to see a savings by utilizing
the SCORE services.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Draft Interlocal Agreement Between King County and the Port of Seattle for Jail
Services
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
September 1, 2012 – The Commission approved a new housing agreement with SCORE