Title
Approval of Interlocal Agreement between the Cities of Lacey and Tumwater and Thurston County for the Thurston Narcotics Task Force
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Interlocal Agreement.
Report
Issue:
City of Olympia participation in the Thurston Narcotics Task Force (TNT)
Staff Contact:
Laura Wohl, Administrative Services Manager, 360.753.8214
Presenter(s):
Consent item
Background and Analysis:
For over three decades, the City of Olympia has been a jurisdictional partner of the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force. The task force was formed to provide a coordinated approach to regional drug enforcement. This goal continues today, relying on the participation of multiple law enforcement partners including Thurston County Sheriff's Office, Thurston County Prosecutor's Office, Washington State Patrol, and the police departments of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater.
As outlined in the Interlocal Agreement, the Executive Committee directs drug enforcement priorities and activities. The Executive Committee, comprised of the Thurston County Sheriff or designee, the Chiefs of Police of the cities of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater or their designees, and the Chief of the Washington State Patrol or designee have agreed to enter into a new Interlocal Agreement that contains four primary changes to the existing contract:
1. Historically, there has been no requirement in the agreement that a member agency assign personnel to the Task Force. The Executive Committee believes it is an important aspect of the continued existence of the Task Force, and agrees to change the agreement to require a committee member to assign an employee to the Task Force to retain voting privileges on the Committee. In the event a member agency cannot supply an employee to the Task Force, the member agency may attend meetings, but will lose voting privileges.
2. The Thurston County Prosecutor or designee has been a long time attendee of the Executive Committee meetings, but has not had voting rights. The Executive Committee has agreed to include the Thurston County Prosecutor or designee as a member of the Executive Committee.
3. The new agreement more clearly outlines the administration of the task force, including information about the policies and procedures approved by the Executive Committee and used by the task force.
4. The old agreement expires on December 31, 2014 and the new agreement has an expiration of December 31, 2020.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
NA
Options:
1. Approve the agreement and continue participation in the TNT to combat drug crimes in the Thurston County region.
2. Reject the agreement which will discontinue Olympia's participation in the TNT reducing the effectiveness of the task force both on regional issues and on drug enforcement within the City of Olympia.
Financial Impact:
The City of Olympia assigns one detective to the TNT at a cost of approximately $125,200 per year.