NORTH BEND – A new public safety contract with the King County Sheriff’s Office will find deputies spending more time patrolling the area and focusing additional hours on specific issues.

With approval of North Bend’s 2004 budget last week came the funding for the about $900,000 contract with the county that allows for about 1,000 hours of deputy overtime and a move from a part-time to a full-time chief. The contract is expected to take effect Jan. 1.

“This is the highest level of service we’ve had with King County,” said City Administrator George Martinez.

Under the agreement the city will maintain the one, full-time officer patrolling the city limits it has utilized in the past, with $50,000 allocated for deputy overtime hours.

City officials had considered adding another full-time officer, but felt the overtime arrangement would be more cost-effective because it would not have to pay for additional benefits, such as retirement or insurance.

Sgt. Joe Hodgson, who assumed the chief position earlier this year when Sgt. Grant Stewart transferred, said the increase from part time to full time will make a difference.

Instead of being pulled between his duties of overseeing the unincorporated area patrols and other county work, Hodgson said he can focus on city issues and spend more time in the community.

Although the council and city officials have yet to discuss specific uses for the overtime hours, Hodgson said initial council ideas have been to address traffic issues, such as speeding, and increasing security along local trails.

In addition to the extra hours, deputies will respond in person to all calls placed to the office.

Martinez said in the past the city has heard concerns that despite calling the North Bend substation of the King County Sheriff’s Office about non-emergency issues, deputies did not respond in person. The time in which deputies respond will depend on the matter, Martinez added, and the available staff.

The new contract brings closure to an uncertain period for police services in the area. In April city officials announced they were revoking the contract in protest of a state Department of Social and Health Services sex-offender halfway house to be located off Interstate 90 near Exit 38.

City officials had considered contracting with the city of Snoqualmie, but decided that the depth of services offered by the county was too much to ignore. Public sentiment during hearing for the contract negotiations also favored staying with the county, of which the city has contracted for about 30 years.

Travis Peterson can be reached at (425) 888-2311 or by e-mail at travis.peterson@valleyrecord.com.