TO: Committee of the Whole - Public Safety and Human Services
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Police |
Chief Darrell Lowe |
425-556-2521 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Police |
Brian Coats |
Deputy Chief |
|
Police |
Ryan George |
Lieutenant |
TITLE:
title
2027 Rate Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Redmond and the South Correctional Entity (SCORE)
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The City of Redmond is required by state law to provide jail housing for people held on City misdemeanor charges. The City meets this requirement through an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with the South Correctional Entity (SCORE), a public jail agency located in Des Moines. This 2027 Amendment to the ILA for Inmate Housing increases SCORE's daily rates for guaranteed and non-guaranteed beds by five (5) percent and keeps the City's guaranteed bed count at twenty-two (22) beds per day, the same as 2026.
The new rates take effect January 1, 2027. Attachment B provides background on how SCORE jail costs work, written for Councilmembers who are new to this contract.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☒ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
o N/A
• Required:
o The City is required by law to house misdemeanants under RCW 39.34.180 (Criminal Justice Responsibilities - Interlocal Agreements - Termination).
• Council Request:
o N/A
• Other Key Facts:
o Current spending. The 2026 SCORE budget is $1,659,430. The City is on track to spend approximately $1,837,223 in 2026, about $177,800 (10.7 percent) over budget.
o Current use. Redmond's actual average daily population at SCORE is twenty-three (23) people. This is an average. The daily count rises and falls, so on many days it is below 23 and on others it is above.
o How the two bed types are billed. The City pays for each guaranteed bed every day, whether or not it is occupied. Non-guaranteed beds cost about 37 percent more per day ($235.02 vs. $171.26) but are billed only on days they are used, and only when SCORE has space.
o Break-even rule. A guaranteed bed costs less than buying the same bed as needed only if it is occupied on at least 73 percent of days (about 266 days per year). This figure is obtained by dividing the guaranteed rate by the non-guaranteed rate ($171.26 / $235.02).
o Why 22 beds. Because Redmond's actual average is 23, a 23rd guaranteed bed would sit empty on many days. Staff estimates the 23rd bed would be occupied on about 57 percent of days, below the 73 percent break-even. Keeping 22 guaranteed beds is estimated to cost approximately $13,200 less in 2027 than increasing to 23.
OUTCOMES:
In 2027, SCORE will guarantee the City twenty-two (22) beds per day. Daily bed rates increase five (5) percent, to $171.26 for a guaranteed bed and $235.02 for a non-guaranteed bed. The booking fee increases from $95.00 to $99.75. On days when more than 22 Redmond inmates are housed, the additional beds are billed at the non-guaranteed rate, subject to SCORE's available capacity.
Keeping 22 guaranteed beds matches the City's current average use, avoids paying for empty beds on lower-population days, and is estimated to cost approximately $13,200 less than 23 guaranteed beds. Approximately 90 percent of SCORE's population requires medical or mental health services, and medical and mental health surcharges are billed in addition to the daily bed rate.
In its 2027 rate letter, SCORE attributed the increase to its continued investment in jail safety and the growing impacts of the opioid epidemic, which SCORE reports has driven unprecedented increases in the cost of medical care and insurance. SCORE also reported that a financial study found its daily bed rate remains considerably lower than many other jails in the region.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
o N/A
• Outreach Methods and Results:
o N/A
• Feedback Summary:
o N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Booking $69,426.00
Mental Health Residential $300,441.92
Medical Acute $116,093.29
Mental Health Acute $16,744.04
Transport/Security $5,255.82
Health Service-Outside Health $26,783.94
Virtual Court Admin Fee $89,397.00
General Housing-Guaranteed $1,437,727.70
General Housing-Non-Guaranteed $90,960.38
Estimated Total Cost $2,152,830.10
General Housing Cost $1,528,688.08
Total Cost:
$2,152,830 is budgeted for SCORE jail services in 2027. With 22 guaranteed beds, the estimated 2027 cost is $2,139,667, approximately $13,163 below the budgeted amount.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
228 Criminal Justice
Budget Priority:
Safe and Resilient
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
Specialized service costs (medical and mental health surcharges, outside health services, and hospital transport and security) depend on the needs of the people booked and have historically exceeded the budget allotment. Non-guaranteed bed costs also rise if the daily population exceeds the estimate. Each bed-day above 22 costs $235.02.
Funding source(s):
General Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
The 2027 budget for SCORE services is $2,152,830.
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
Item has not been presented to Council |
N/A |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
11/2/2026 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
Time Constraints:
This Interlocal Agreement Amendment takes effect on January 1, 2027.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
This 2027 SCORE ILA Amendment guarantees the City will have jail beds and services for detained inmates in 2027. If not approved, the City would need to immediately explore other options for jail services. These options are limited and may come at a higher cost or with reduced services.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: 2027 Amendment to Original Agreement for Inmate Housing
Attachment B: Background Information for Councilmembers: How SCORE Jail Costs Work
Attachment C: SCORE 2027 Rate Letter, dated June 30, 2026