Lake Forest council approves Orange County Sheriff contract adding one deputy for FY 2025–26

Lake Forest — The Lake Forest City Council approved a renewed contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on May 20 that includes one additional patrol deputy for fiscal year 2025–26, city staff said.

Deputy City Manager Sean McGovern presented the proposed contract and summarized 2024 statistics. McGovern said the sheriff’s contract is cost‑efficient for the city and noted several performance measures: an increase in calls for service between 2023 and 2024, a small increase in average response time for priority 1 calls (to about 5 minutes, 11 seconds), and a decline in preventive patrol time that staff attributed to increased time consumed by administrative, reporting and non‑priority calls. McGovern said Lake Forest remains below the Orange County average for part‑1 (serious) crimes.

McGovern reported the proposed FY 2025–26 agreement would cost the city about $22.7 million overall — a 6.45% increase over the current contract — and that adding one deputy accounts for about one‑third of the year‑to‑year increase. The city’s long‑range financial forecast, staff said, built in higher contract costs and could absorb the change.

During Q&A, Council Member Tetimer asked whether adding deputies would address the increase in call volume and response time. A sheriff’s representative explained the patrol allocation model: higher consume time (administrative burdens, lengthy follow‑ups and complex social‑service calls) reduces time available for preventative patrol. The sheriff’s representative said adding personnel increases the odds of having available deputies for fast response to priority calls. Council members also asked about data per capita and expressed interest in continuing the patrol staffing evaluation.

Council Member (name not specified in transcript) moved to approve the contract and Council Member Tedermer seconded; council discussion concluded and the mayor declared the item approved. A sheriff’s representative and local chief were present for questions. McGovern said the recommended approach — adding one deputy now and reviewing staffing further in subsequent years — came from the city’s public safety ad hoc group and staffing analysis.

Why it matters: Police staffing levels affect response times, preventative patrol presence and the city’s ability to handle increases in calls for service related to population growth and business development.

What’s next: The contract will take effect for FY 2025–26 and staff said the public safety ad hoc group will continue to analyze staffing needs and potential additions in future years.