Sammamish City Council Approves Possible Agreement With Snohomish County for Jail Services

If you're found guilty of a misdemeanor committed in Sammamish and need to be incarcerated for an extended period of time, there is a chance that your family will have to head to Everett to visit you.

The Sammamish City Council last week approved a potential agreement with Snohomish County for jail services to house those convicted of a misdemeanor - or less serious - crime. Snohomish County officials still need to vote on the idea.

The reason for the possible agreement: The city can save money because Sammamish is responsible for housing inmates, administrative staff said in a report to the City Council.

While it costs $152.50 to house someone on the first day in the Snohomish County Jail, each additional 24-hour period is $62.50, according to a city report.

Sammamish police typically take people who are arrested and require incarceration to the Issaquah Jail, which charges $90 for the first day and $90 for each additional one.

The city also houses those who are arrested and found guilty of a misdemeanor at the King County Jail in Seattle. But that facility costs the city of Sammamish $499.83 for the first day and $119.62 for each additional one.

"It's just another option. Our first option is always the Issaquah Jail. It’s cheapest (for a short term stay) and nearby," Mike Sauerwein, city administrative services director, said.

"Our second choice is King County, if it’s a short stay. But if you have multiple violations and have a 90- to 120-day term, then it’s significantly cheaper to send that person to Snohomish County."

City officials also pointed out that in 2010, city inmates spent 821 days at the Issaquah Jail and 319 days at the King County Jail.

At the June 20 meeting, City Manager Ben Yazici informed the City Council that the Snohomish County Jail is another option for Sammamish to use.

City officials have pointed out that Sammamish has a relatively low crime rate compared to other Seattle-area cities.

If approved by Snohomish County officials, the jail agreement would end in December 2016.