Mattawa, Granger negotiate deal on interim police chief

MATTAWA — Granger Police Chief Estevan Araguz has been hired on an hourly basis by the city of Mattawa while the two towns negotiate an interlocal agreement.

Araguz said under the potential agreement, he would be a part-time interim chief, working 20 hours per week in Mattawa for six months.

“It’s something we’re going to do to help them,” he said.

Mattawa city officials approached Granger city officials about hiring Araguz as an interim, he said.

Neither Mattawa Mayor Maria Celaya nor the seven members of the Mattawa City Council replied to questions from the Herald on the status of the negotiations with Granger or the search for a new chief.

The interlocal agreement is being reviewed by the Granger city attorney, Araguz said, then will go to the Mattawa city attorney before being considered by the two city councils.

It was unclear when Araguz was asked to work on an hourly basis in the meantime, but Mattawa officials approached him.

“They came to me. They asked me about it,” he said.

If he’s hired as interim chief, he likely will work on the 2022 Mattawa Police Department budget and help stabilize the MPD while city officials look for a full time chief, he said. Araguz also will help with the transition when a new chief is hired.

As part of the budget process, he said he’ll see if Mattawa has the budget capacity to add another police officer, bringing the MPD to seven officers.