ML makes progress on sheriff deal
Most points resolved, but city attorney says no deal reached yet on costs after 2010
City attorney Cynthia McMullen updated the Medical Lake City Council Tuesday night on the progress of the city’s contract with the Spokane County Sheriff’s office.
She said most substantive points in the contract have been worked through, but the two entities are still coming to an agreement about how much money the city will pay the Sheriff’s Office after 2010 – the groups have already agreed to a cost next year.
McMullen also told the council that the Sheriff’s Office is ready to take over the police department at 12:01 a.m. Nov. 1.
She also said the current police officers should find out if they have been hired by the Sheriff’s Office in about a week and a half.
“We’re hopeful for all of them,” she said.
The council also welcomed Jeff Estes, the city’s new volunteer fire chief.
City Administrator Doug Ross said the city received seven applications for this position, four of them from inside the Medical Lake Fire Department including Estes and three from various locations in Spokane County. Estes was unanimously chosen by the hiring committee.
“Thank you for giving me the responsibility of heading up the Medical Lake Fire Department,” Estes told the council.
The next Medical Lake city council meeting will be held Oct. 20.