Wenatchee pursues legal action against Chelan County over jail services contract

WENATCHEE — The City of Wenatchee voted Thursday to take legal action against Chelan County following months of unsuccessful negotiations over jail service agreements, according to an open letter from Mayor Mike Poirier.

The dispute centers on the Chelan County Regional Justice Center, which the county owns and operates. The city currently contracts with the county to house its inmates, paying $1.6 million in 2024 for these services.

According to Mayor Poirier's letter, Wenatchee police officers have faced challenges with jail access, with some inmates being refused booking.

"Every denied booking into the Jail means that an individual who is already suspected of a crime remains in the community with the potential to victimize other people," Poirier wrote in his March 27 letter to residents.

The city has been in discussions with the county since early 2024 to renew their service agreement. Wenatchee officials requested revisions to require the county to book individuals arrested by city officers, but these changes were rejected by the county, according to the mayor.

Financial negotiations have also stalled. The city proposed increasing its annual payment to $1.8 million for 2025, which was rejected. A subsequent offer of $2.2 million — a 37% increase from 2024 — was also not accepted by the county.

In response, Chelan County sent the city a letter of termination that would end jail services in August 2025.

"The County's position has left our Wenatchee community with limited options," Poirier wrote. "I cannot in good conscience recommend that the City enter into an agreement that risks the safety of our community and our officers."

The Chelan County Regional Justice Center was established in 1983 as Washington State's first regional jail through a partnership between Chelan County, Douglas County, and Wenatchee. According to the FAQ included with the mayor's letter, Chelan County withdrew from the regional operational approach in 2009 and has since independently operated the facility.

Data provided by the city shows a significant decrease in the jail's average daily population over recent years. In 2018, the city's average daily population at the jail was 43.5 inmates, while the county had 139.4. By 2024, those numbers had dropped to 28.5 for the city and 81.0 for the county. The jail's capacity is listed as 197 inmates, according to Chelan County Code.

While the city could contract with facilities in neighboring counties, this would require officers to make potentially four-hour round trips to transport arrestees, taking them away from local law enforcement duties. Building a new city jail would be "a multi-year effort and would not solve the current immediate need for jail services," according to the FAQ.

"I hope this issue sparks more conversations about the need for regional jail services and the importance of working together, just as we did when the Jail was built in 1983," Poirier wrote, encouraging community members to contact local officials about prioritizing public safety.

Mayor Poirier's letter can be read here.