The City of North Bend is examining changing its police services contract from the King County Sheriff’s Office to the City of Snoqualmie Police Department. In an effort to ensure all vital information about the potential change is considered, North Bend city officials will hold a public comment session at an April 17th City Council Meeting at the Mt. Si Senior center located at 411 Main Ave South. Residents are encouraged to attend and share their comments and concerns.
Citizens will be limited to three minutes of public comment time. It is strongly encouraged that residents also submit their comments in writing to assure all comments are expressed that might not otherwise fit into the three-minute time limit. Written comments can be sent to the City of North Bend, Attn: City Clerk, PO Box 896, North Bend, WA, 98045, or via email to cityhall@northbendwa.gov.
North Bend’s 2012 police services contract is approximately $1.4 million, an increase of 8%. The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) contract price changes yearly. The City of Snoqualmie submitted a fixed 5-year contract that could save the City of North Bend between $270,000-$400,000 annually compared to KCSO. The initial year of the Snoqualmie contract includes $384,000 of start-up costs for three fully-equipped patrol vehicles and six full-time officers.
The City of North Bend says each police services option has its own set of benefits. Continuing with the King County’s Sheriff’s Office provides a long history of high quality service, extensive resources and well qualified officers. Changing to the City of Snoqualmie Police Department provides significant yearly cost savings, provides five years of stability to the city’s budget and localized control.
Again, that public comment session happens on Tuesday, April 17th, at 7PM at the Mt. Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave S.
