Wenatchee, Chelan County reach settlement in jail dispute

WENATCHEE — The City of Wenatchee and Chelan County have reached a settlement ending their ongoing litigation over jail services and establishing a new agreement for housing city inmates at the Chelan County Regional Justice Center.

Under the settlement, the city and county will enter into an interlocal agreement governing jail services through the end of 2027. The agreement runs retroactively from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027.

Wenatchee will pay $2.5 million for jail services in 2025 and $2.51 million in 2026. In 2027, the city will move to a per-inmate rate of $213 per day, subject to a minimum annual payment of $2.2 million.

The settlement also brings several related legal proceedings to an end. The city and county will jointly ask the court to vacate a partial summary judgment order entered in July 2025 and dismiss the underlying litigation. They will also dismiss a pending appellate review proceeding and a related arbitration that is currently stayed.

The settlement resolves the disputes without either jurisdiction admitting or waiving its claims or defenses.

“While this process took some time, I am pleased that we were able to reach a resolution that continues to provide safety and security for Chelan County residents,” Chelan County Commissioner Kevin Overbay said. “This agreement will provide a predictable future for the City and Regional Justice Center.”

The agreement remains subject to approval by both jurisdictions. The Wenatchee City Council approved the interlocal agreement at its Aug. 13 meeting. The Chelan County Board of Commissioners is expected to consider approval Aug. 17.

“Public safety is the City’s first responsibility, and this interlocal agreement delivers it. It assures that the suspects that our officers arrest may be jailed,” Wenatchee Mayor Mike Poirier said. “The agreement also allows the City and the County to move past litigation, and it provides a foundation for improved cooperation between our two governments.”

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media