Sheriff Jensen outlines proposed rate increases for Lewiston contract, reports steady call volume and staffing gains

Sheriff Jensen told the council he had reviewed Lewiston's current contract and proposed an incremental rate increase over the next three years to better align contracted patrol rates with actual costs. "Right now, you guys are contracted for 400 hours. The rate is $56 an hour," he said, and described the suggested schedule of $60, then $64, then $68 per hour over consecutive years.

The sheriff also reviewed service statistics: Lewiston recorded roughly 300'434 calls last year and is on pace for a comparable total this year; the town contracted for 400 patrol hours and the sheriff said the office typically meets or exceeds contracted hours. On animal control, he said the civilian rate would remain unchanged.

On staffing and organization, the sheriff described a recent reorganization that split command between criminal/patrol functions and jail/civil functions, newly promoted chief deputies and efforts to recruit and retain personnel (including a regional pay-plan comparison). He said the county has seen improved retention since implementing the pay plan and that recent academy class sizes are recovering after a multiyear dip.

He also said the sheriff's office will prepare plain-English guidance on a new state law about electric personal vehicles and share that guidance with municipalities for public education rather than immediate enforcement.

What happens next: The sheriff said the proposed contract-rate schedule has been sent to the city and can be discussed in the council's contract deliberations (the Lewiston contract runs until June). Council members thanked the sheriff and asked him to follow up on any specific operational questions.