Representatives of the City of Fairview and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office briefed county commissioners on efforts to consolidate law enforcement services in the city at a board briefing on February 23. If negotiations are successful and approved by county and city elected leaders, consolidation could be approved this fall. Fairview police staff would join the Sheriff’s Office.
A similar consolidation was completed in 2015 in the City of Troutdale, where the Sheriff’s Office now provides law enforcement services.
In Fairview, the retirement of former Police Chief Ken Johnson in 2015 led the city to adopt an agreement with the county to provide a temporary police chief. The Sheriff Office’s Captain Harry Smith has served as acting Chief of Police for Fairview since 2016. Under former County Sheriff Dan Staton and under current Sheriff Mike Reese, the Sheriff’s Office held informal talks with the city to explore what consolidated services would cost and look like.
At the February 23 meeting, city and Sheriff leaders asked the county board to extend the agreement to provide a sheriff’s employee as temporary chief through September 30. The extension will provide time to develop a consolidation plan or allow the city to select a new chief if consolidation does not occur. The board approved the extension, along with a budget modification for Fairview’s payment for the position through the current fiscal year.
“We’re looking at a service model that … makes sure citizens receive equal or enhanced services to what they have now,” Capt. Smith said about the consolidation talks. “The goal is for this to be as fiscally neutral as possible for both the city and county.” Fairview’s annual budget for law enforcement is roughly $2.5 million.
Consolidation can benefit smaller cities by having an outside organization with more resources provide a service. The Sheriff’s Office already provides law enforcement services to the neighboring cities of Wood Village, Troutdale and Maywood Park, in addition to unincorporated areas.
“There are synergies in bringing people together,” Fairview Mayor Ted Tosterud said. “We already have consolidated fire services in east county. Our police chief’s retirement moved the timeline for law enforcement consolidation ahead. In the next one to two months, when we have details worked out, we’ll be meeting with our citizens about this. I think when citizens see all the services they would gain, they will agree this will be very beneficial.”
Commissioner Lori Stegmann, who represents east county (including Fairview), expressed optimism based on what she called a “phenomenal” consolidation in Troutdale. “Troutdale’s citizens love the sheriff’s services. We already have a consolidation blueprint, with what’s happened in Troutdale. It’s going to be an equitable partnership. It’s a win-win for everybody.”
Commissioner Loretta Smith noted that the board will need to know the details and costs of consolidation before a deal is approved. County sheriff employees earn higher salaries that Fairview police, for example. The Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Chief Jason Gates said that the Sheriff’s Office will bring a detailed consolidation plan and costs to county commissioners as soon as details are confirmed.
