City Council tells public no Sheriff’s contract
Published on Tue, Dec 11, 2012 by BY PAM STEVENS | MANAGING EDITORRead More Local News
Concerns over the City of Lake Stevens considering contracting with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office for their police services can be put to rest after city council members ensured the public that the city will keep their own police department.
At the November 26 City Council meeting each council member and the mayor made a statement regarding contracting with the SCSO and each expressed that Lake Stevens needs to continue with the Lake Stevens Police Department.
“We have worked hard to develop a professional and hard working police force and I am not in favor of switching gears now,” stated Mayor Vern Little. “We will have to pay attention to the budget, in good times and in bad, and we will continue to work with all our departments to be conservative and fiscally responsible.”
Because some citizens had expressed the desire to sign a contract for SCSO services, the city’s budget sub-committee requested to review the subject of contracting police services.
While the city could save up to $400,000 per year, the council agreed that keeping our own police department is a top priority.
Councilmember John Spencer commented, “To have our own police department was the number one reason people said during the annexation process, no doubt there is a strong community support to retain our own police force.”
“I too support the city continue with their own police services,” Councilmember Suzanne Quigley said. “Although there are some significant financial implications we better serve our community with our own police department.”
Councilmember Todd Welch can’t see any reason to change how our city is policed.
“I’ve looked at the pros and cons and I don’t see any reason to make a switch, ever,” he said.
Councilmember Kathy Holder lived in the county before being annexed into the city.
“I wanted to annex into the city because I didn’t want Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office anymore,” she said. “Lake Stevens Police Department has a great reputation and there are too many unknowns to go that route.”
“I one hundred percent will not go for bringing the sheriff’s office in,” Marcus Tageant said. “I want to put this to rest once and for all.”
As the City’s economic development investment begins to strengthen the fiscal outlook the City will continue building a strong community with a strong police department of their own.
At the November 26 City Council meeting each council member and the mayor made a statement regarding contracting with the SCSO and each expressed that Lake Stevens needs to continue with the Lake Stevens Police Department.
“We have worked hard to develop a professional and hard working police force and I am not in favor of switching gears now,” stated Mayor Vern Little. “We will have to pay attention to the budget, in good times and in bad, and we will continue to work with all our departments to be conservative and fiscally responsible.”
Because some citizens had expressed the desire to sign a contract for SCSO services, the city’s budget sub-committee requested to review the subject of contracting police services.
While the city could save up to $400,000 per year, the council agreed that keeping our own police department is a top priority.
Councilmember John Spencer commented, “To have our own police department was the number one reason people said during the annexation process, no doubt there is a strong community support to retain our own police force.”
“I too support the city continue with their own police services,” Councilmember Suzanne Quigley said. “Although there are some significant financial implications we better serve our community with our own police department.”
Councilmember Todd Welch can’t see any reason to change how our city is policed.
“I’ve looked at the pros and cons and I don’t see any reason to make a switch, ever,” he said.
Councilmember Kathy Holder lived in the county before being annexed into the city.
“I wanted to annex into the city because I didn’t want Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office anymore,” she said. “Lake Stevens Police Department has a great reputation and there are too many unknowns to go that route.”
“I one hundred percent will not go for bringing the sheriff’s office in,” Marcus Tageant said. “I want to put this to rest once and for all.”
As the City’s economic development investment begins to strengthen the fiscal outlook the City will continue building a strong community with a strong police department of their own.
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