Othello, county negotiate services

OTHELLO — Othello Police Chief Steve Dunnagan meets with Adams County officials today to negotiate a new contract for prosecutor and jail services.

OTHELLO - Othello Police Chief Steve Dunnagan meets with Adams County officials today to negotiate a new contract for prosecutor and jail services.

Adams County recently proposed a 50 percent higher contract, which comes to $23,323 in higher prosecutor fees and $3,500 for increased jail fees. The contract's price has been the same amount for the past seven years.

Adams County Prosecutor Randy Flyckt believes the amount is more reflective of the costs to provide service, according to Dunnagan.

Othello cases represent about half of the county's work and the contract isn't unfair or unrealistic, he said.

Adams County currently provides prosecutor services for Othello.

Daily jail fees are also part of the contract, which will increase by $13 per prisoner under the proposed contract.

Dunnagan provided the Othello City Council with an update about the contract during Monday's city council meeting.

No action was taken at the city council meeting, but the councilmembers directed Dunnagan to somehow stagger the costs over two years.

Councilmember Ken Caylor said people would look at the figure and balk.

He thought the city should give the county a counteroffer and propose a three-year payment schedule.

The county is squeezing the city for dollars, Caylor said.

Councilmember Charles Garcia said the county is taking advantage of being the only game in town.