Whatcom County to spend $1.2 million this year to incarcerate people in Snohomish County

Aug. 15—Whatcom County will spend roughly $1.2 million over the next several months to house up to 45 people in the Snohomish County Jail — a move officials say is necessary due to a lack of available space to book and safely house people in the Whatcom County Jail.

At its Tuesday night meeting on Aug. 9, the Whatcom County Council approved a $1.2 million contract with Snohomish County that allows Whatcom to use up to 45 beds to incarcerate people at the Snohomish County Jail in Everett. The funding request, which was initially introduced in mid-June, was included as part of an ordinance amending the county budget by more than $4 million for various items and services.

Tuesday's council vote, which passed 6 to 1, with Ben Elenbaas voting no, authorizes the county executive to enter into the contract with Snohomish. The contract authorization was passed as part of the consent agenda.

The $1.2 million, which is coming out of the Whatcom County Jail fund, will pay for booking, housing and medical fees that Whatcom will have to pay for the inmates transferred to Snohomish.

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