While Winlock elected city officials are still mulling their options for police services in the long term, they need to find a short-term solution.
Winlock Police Chief Terry Williams is retiring; his last day of work is June 30. However, he is on vacation until then.
The city’s one officer, Josh Goffena, is also moving on from the department on June 1, according to elected officials.
“You guys are in kind of a pickle; it’s complex,” city attorney Erin Hillier said during a council meeting Wednesday.
To get by until the chief’s retirement, the Winlock City Council authorized the mayor to ask Williams to return to duty for the last month of his employment and payout vacation time or seek an interim chief through the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
As for its long-term police services, councilors have called for a special meeting at 5 p.m. Monday.
Officials plan to discuss the city’s options — hiring a new police chief and officer, contracting with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office or contracting with the Toledo Police Department.
They plan to make a decision that night.
The city held a public meeting last week to get citizen input, and councilors discussed their options again at a workshop before the council meeting Wednesday.
Sheriff Rob Snaza and Toledo Police Chief John Brockmueller both attended the workshop to provide councilors with additional information.
The city currently spends about $250,000 for its police department, which provides a uniformed officer for 10 hours daily.
“I want more coverage,” Councilor Sarah Gifford said. “I want my kids to feel safe.”
The sheriff’s office would have two deputies assigned to the South Lewis County area from Napavine to Vader 24 hours daily for about $250,000. The city would also have additional resources, including the Street Crimes Unit, detectives and Sheriff’s Mentoring Students Program.
However, the sheriff’s office wants the city to do away with its municipal court because it is easier for the agency to use district court for violations at that level. Court, jail, prosecution and dispatch fees would be an additional cost of about $50,000.
“It’s up to the council to make this decision,” Snaza said. “I’m just saying that we’re going to provide the resources out there that the sheriff’s office has. … And I think we do a great job in what we do.”
If the city contracts with Toledo, the Toledo Police Department plans to hire two additional officers to provide Winlock and Toledo 20 hours of service daily, costing Winlock $196,000. The city would keep its municipal court, and the employees who operate it wouldn’t lose hours.
“We just want to help you guys out as neighbors,” Brockmueller said.
The city is considering all options, including proposals from both agencies and applications from police chief applicants.
“If we can get better coverage to patrol an area that Winlock happens to reside in, that’s what it’s about,” Mayor Lonnie Dowell said about the city’s options.
