The city of Willows is asking a court to keep its law enforcement services in place as a contract dispute with the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office approaches a deadline, KRCR reported.
The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office has provided law enforcement services to Willows since the city dissolved its Police Department in 2017. But the current contract ends on June 30, and the Sheriff’s Office said negotiations over a new agreement have failed.
In a press release, the Sheriff’s Office said it costs about $3.4 million a year to serve Willows. The agency said the city currently pays about $2.4 million, leaving Glenn County with an “unsustainable” deficit.
The Sheriff’s Office said it notified the city in March that it would not renew the contract. The agency also accused the city of being unresponsive during efforts to transition services back to Willows.
But KRCR reports the city filed legal action June 9 to keep law enforcement services going after the current contract with the Sheriff’s Office ends and a new contract is negotiated.
According to KRCR, the city said it’s been negotiating with the Sheriff’s Office since September and disputes some of the agency’s claims about the talks.
The Sheriff’s Office press release said that after the current contract expires, emergency calls would be sent to the California Highway Patrol or the Willows Fire Department until the city gives different instructions.
An online crime-reporting system will be available for Willows residents, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The city of Willows declined to comment when reached by NSPR.
