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Updated Agreement for Contract Law Enforcement and Public Safety Services <br />Draft Language for Request for Action <br /> <br /> <br />Background/Overview <br /> <br />• In Ramsey County, for over 60 years, the Sheriff’s Office has provided law enforcement <br />and public safety services to municipalities in the county that do not operate a local <br />police department. In doing so, the county, the Sheriff’s Office, and the municipalities <br />have entered into agreements for contract services. Minnesota state law authorizes <br />such agreements. <br /> <br />• Contracting for law enforcement and public safety services offers many advantages to <br />the community, the county, and the municipality, including cost savings, sharing of <br />resources, and enhanced emergency responses. <br /> <br />• It is a common practice across the seven-county metro, the state, and the nation for <br />sheriff’s offices and municipalities to enter into agreements for contract services. This <br />method of contracting allows municipalities to select services that best meet the needs <br />of the community. The sheriff’s offices then provide services for the cost incurred. <br /> <br />• The services provided include but are not limited to patrol, investigations, crime <br />prevention, community outreach, and animal control. <br /> <br />• Currently, the cities of Arden Hills, Little Canada, North Oaks, Shoreview, Vadnais <br />Heights, and the township of White Bear, known as the “Contract Communities,” have <br />agreements with the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement and public safety services. The <br />city of Falcon Heights also has an agreement with the Sheriff’s Office independent of the <br />Contract Communities. <br /> <br />• All agreements expire on December 31, 2024 with no renewal options. <br /> <br />Updated Agreements <br /> <br />• In 2024, the Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the County Manager’s Department, <br />including Safety and Justice, the County Attorney’s Office, Enterprise Risk Management, <br />Finance, and the Contract Communities worked together to review all contract terms <br />and conditions. <br /> <br />• This collective work resulted in updated and revised contract language. The major <br />changes and updates to the agreements include: <br /> <br />o An improved and easier to read format. <br />o Revised recitals to incorporate legal authority and statutory references. <br />o A term limit of five years, requiring any new agreements to be brought before <br />each governing body for approval.