KGMI News
By Tracy Ellis
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – It appears the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County are close to agreement on a proposal for a new jail.
Bellingham mayor Kelli Linville says the lockup would include about 440 beds, down from the 521 in a measure that failed in 2015.
She says the smaller size would reduce the cost.
“I feel like the questions I had, and the concerns I had, were made better with this agreement.”
The proposal also limits the expense for all the county’s cities.
The mayor says the jail would have 36 beds that could be used for people with behavioral health issues.
She says preliminary agreement expands the use of jail alternatives.
An advisory board would make recommendations on how the jail should operate.
There are still details that need to be worked out.