October 30, 2023 Press Release: Willows City Council Approves Temporary Law Enforcement Agreement with Glenn County Sheriff’s Office

Administration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 30, 2023

CONTACT: Richard Thomas, Mayor

Email: rthomas@cityofwillows.org

Phone: (530) 514-0754


Willows City Council Approves Temporary Law Enforcement Agreement with Glenn County Sheriff’s Office ensuring law enforcement services through December 2023

(Willows, CA) – On Tuesday, October 24, the Willows City Council approved a temporary law enforcement agreement ensuring law enforcement services through December 31, 2023, and agreeing to pay the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office $1,285,306 – half of the Sheriff’s proposed costs for fiscal year 2023-24.

“I look forward to finalizing this contract so we can move forward with our efforts to procure a long-term law enforcement solution for the citizens of Willows,” stated Mayor Thomas and Public Safety Ad Hoc Committee Member.

The Council’s approved temporary contract was forwarded to the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday morning, October 25 for consideration and approval at the next Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday, November 7.

“The temporary agreement provides the city with time to develop a plan for re-establishing the Willows Police Department while continuing mutual good faith negotiations in full cooperation with the Sheriff’s Office to develop a near-term contract that the City can afford,” commented Councilmember Hansen and Public Safety Ad Hoc Committee Member.

On Wednesday evening, October 25, the Sheriff’s Office forwarded a different contract to the city from County Counsel removing any references of good faith bargaining and full cooperation, as well as Exhibit A to the contract, which includes the scope of services to be provided by the Sheriff’s Office to the city, including all of the law enforcement positions, vehicles and administrative support that the City is paying for as part of the proposed terms from the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office. The Willows City Council wants these sections added back into the agreement.

“Hopefully, we can get these minor differences resolved quickly as the sections removed from the City’s law enforcement agreement were explicitly discussed and agreed to by both parties at the negotiating table,” added City Manager Brown.

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