COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8g
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
October 13, 2026
DATE : September 1, 2026
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Alycia McKinney, Deputy Chief of Police
SUBJECT: SCORE Public Safety Funding 2027
Amount of this request:
$2,232,250
Total estimated project cost:
$2,232,250
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the 2027 Rate Amendment Agreement in the amount of
up to $2,232,250 for services provided by South Correctional Entity (SCORE) in conjunction with
the SCORE Interlocal Agreement for Inmate Housing with the Port of Seattle.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Port of Seattle Police Department currently utilizes jail services under an ILA between the
Port of Seattle and SCORE. SCORE is an efficient and effective solution for booking since it is
located approximately at the southern border of SEA Airport, in Des Moines, Washington, and is
the primary booking entity for most South King County law enforcement agencies.
On an annual basis, SCORE posts revised rates for the upcoming year to be executed as an
Amendment that extends the original Interlocal Agreement. This item will authorize the Rate
Amendment Agreement for 2027, and the funding required to support this Amendment. Without
the authorization of this amendment, the original agreement will expire on November 1, 2026,
and we would no longer be able to book into the facility.
JUSTIFICATION
SCORE remains the most practical primary booking facility for the Port of Seattle Police
Department. Located approximately 3.5 miles south of SEA Airport, SCORE provides general
housing, medical and mental health care, transportation, and virtual court services. Arrestees are
generally held through their initial appearance, reducing the likelihood that they will immediately
return to the airport following an arrest. Some arrestees also require individual housing because
of safety concerns, while others require enhanced medical or mental health care. These
circumstances increase costs but are necessary to safely manage individuals in custody. Other
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8g Page 2 of 6
Meeting Date: October 13, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
facilities considered were not viable because of higher costs, greater travel distances, limited
capacity, booking restrictions, or facility conditions.
Key 2027 rates include:
The adopted 2027 SCORE rates also compare favorably with the rates established under the King
County jail agreement, and in the six most critical expense categories, SCORE offers either
substantially more favorable or equal rates to King County. SCORE’s guaranteed general-housing
rate is $171.26 per day, compared with King County’s 2025 base maintenance charge of $278.60
per day, a difference of $107.34 before applying King County’s required annual inflation
adjustments. SCORE’s booking fee is $99.75, compared with King County’s base booking fee of
$199.81 and standard booking fee of $293.28 when King County provides personal-recognizance
screening.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8g Page 3 of 6
Meeting Date: October 13, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
SCORE also offers lower specialized care costs. When the guaranteed housing rate and applicable
surcharge are combined, SCORE’s daily costs are $359.04 for mental health care, $499.57 for
acute psychiatric care, and $427.54 for medical acute care. King County’s corresponding 2025
base daily costs are $415.77, $756.30, and $726.03, respectively. Although the agencies’ hourly
transportation and guarding rates are comparable, SCORE’s lower housing, booking, and
specialized-care costs, together with its proximity to SEA, make it the more efficient and cost-
effective primary booking option.
Actual SCORE expenditures totaled $1,522,225 in 2025, a 26.3% increase over 2024. Recorded
expenditures through July 2026 totaled $892,424. SCORE attributed its 2027 rate increases
primarily to rising medical-care and insurance costs and continued investments in jail safety
associated with the opioid epidemic. These costs remain dependent on booking volume, length
of stay, housing classification, and the medical or mental health needs of each person booked.
Authorization of $2,232,250 will provide the funding capacity necessary to maintain
uninterrupted jail services throughout 2027 while accounting for these variables and increasing
costs. Continued access to SCORE supports public safety, reduces officer travel and booking time,
and allows officers to return to patrol duties more efficiently.
Diversity in Contracting
South Correctional Entity (SCORE) is a public entity and does not adversely or positively impact
Diversity in Contracting goals.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8g Page 4 of 6
Meeting Date: October 13, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
DETAILS
Scope of Work
If the authorization is granted, jail services will continue under the current ILA without
interruption.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
The following alternatives were considered:
Alternative 1 – Do not approve the 2027 SCORE Rate Amendment Agreement and rely primarily
on King County jail facilities.
Cost Implications: This alternative would avoid authorizing $2,232,250 for SCORE services;
however, jail costs would shift to King County and would likely be higher. King County’s 2025 base
maintenance charge is $278.60 per day, compared with SCORE’s 2027 guaranteed housing rate
of $171.26. King County’s base booking fee is $199.81, or $293.28 when personal-recognizance
screening is provided, compared with SCORE’s $99.75 booking fee. King County’s rates are also
subject to annual inflation adjustments. The total cost cannot be reliably projected because it
would depend on booking volume, length of stay, housing classification, and medical or mental
health needs.
Pros:
(1) Avoids committing up to $2,232,250 for SCORE services.
(2) Maintains King County as an available booking option when its capacity and booking
criteria permit.
Cons:
(1) King County’s housing, booking, medical, and mental health charges are generally
higher than SCORE’s rates.
(2) King County may impose booking restrictions or experience capacity limitations that
prevent the acceptance of some arrestees.
(3) Greater travel distances and longer booking times would keep officers away from SEA
and maritime patrol duties for longer periods.
(4) Additional officer time, fuel, vehicle use, and potential overtime costs would reduce or
offset any savings from not authorizing SCORE.
(5) Relying primarily on King County would reduce the Department’s operational flexibility
and could limit its ability to safely address repeat or serious criminal activity.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Reduce custodial bookings and use cite-and-release, diversion, or other non-
custodial options whenever legally and operationally appropriate.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8g Page 5 of 6
Meeting Date: October 13, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Cost Implications: Annual SCORE expense could range from $0 to the requested ceiling of
$2,232,250 depending on how often a custodial booking remains necessary. Any savings cannot
be reliably predicted.
Pros:
(1) May reduce jail expenditures below the requested authorization based on actual use.
(2) Preserves custodial booking for cases involving warrants, significant public-safety
concerns, or individuals who are not suitable for release.
Cons:
(1) Savings cannot be guaranteed because booking volume, length of stay, and medical or
mental health needs are not fully within the Port’s control.
(2) Further limiting of bookings could result in individuals returning immediately to Port
property and could reduce the Department’s ability to address repeat or serious
criminal activity.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 – Approve the 2027 SCORE Rate Amendment Agreement and authorize up to
$2,232,250 for SCORE jail services.
Cost Implications: Up to $2,232,250 in 2027 operating expense, based on actual utilization at the
adopted rates.
Pros:
(1) Maintains uninterrupted access to a jail located near SEA and supports the prompt
return of officers to patrol duties.
(2) Provides access to general housing, medical and mental health care, transport or
hospital security, and virtual court services.
Cons:
(1) Commits up to $2,232,250 in 2027 operating expense and incorporates the adopted
rate increases.
(2) Actual costs will vary with booking volume, length of stay, and the level of medical or
mental health care required.
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
This request authorizes a maximum of $2,232,250 in 2027 operating expense for SCORE jail
services. Charges will be based on actual utilization at the adopted 2027 rates.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8g Page 6 of 6
Meeting Date: October 13, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate
$0
$2,232,250
$2,232,250
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
0
0
0
Current request for authorization
0
$2,232,250
$2,232,250
Total authorizations, including this request
0
$2,232,250
$2,232,250
Remaining amount to be authorized
$0
$0
$0
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
The requested $2,232,250 is included in the Police Department’s 2027 operating budget.
Expenditures will be charged to the Police Department operating expense budget and monitored
against actual bookings, housing days, medical and mental health services, transportation or
security services, and virtual court activity.
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis
$2,232,250
Business Unit (BU)
Police Department
Effect on business performance
(NOI after depreciation)
2027 operating expense of up to $2,232,250
IRR/NPV (if relevant)
Not Applicable
CPE Impact
Not Applicable
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
The authorization applies to 2027 services only. Future annual costs will depend on SCORE’s
adopted rates and the Port’s actual utilization. Any authorization required for later years will be
presented through the applicable agreement and budget process.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Attachment A - 2027 Rate Amendment Agreement
(2) Interlocal Agreement Between SCORE and Port of Seattle for Inmate Housing
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
October 24, 2023 – The Commission approved ongoing funding for SCORE (2023-2026)
September 12, 2021 – The Commission approved a five-year renewal with SCORE
September 8, 2020 – The Commission approved a new housing agreement with SCORE
September 1, 2012 – The Commission approved a new housing agreement with SCORE
