County renews law enforcement contract with Smelterville
The Shoshone County Sheriff's Office will continue to provide daily patrol service to the city of Smelterville after a new contract was signed earlier this week.
File photo
WALLACE — The city of Smelterville will continue to receive patrols from the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office after county commissioners signed off on a new contract Thursday.
According to Undersheriff Lance Stutzke, the new contract is for two years, with the first year costing $55,000 and the second year coming in at $70,000.
This contract obligates the sheriff’s office to patrol the community for a minimum of two hours each day throughout the year, 730 annually, and assist with code enforcement.
Commissioners Dave Dose and Jeff Zimmerman were curious about what the current level of service is costing the county. According to SCSO Patrol Captain Seth Green, that figure was about $140,000 in 2024.
“So we’re gaining, but we still have a way to go,” Dose said.
Stutzke said that during negotiations between the SCSO and the city, they explained that they needed to increase their cost. But to maintain the contract and revenue stream, they agreed to raise the rates annually.
“We’re going to try and build it up over time,” Stutzke said. “If you go percentage-wise, we’re going up a lot. In the past, this contract was dropped and then picked back up. It’s come and gone a couple of times, but either way, we’re going to spend a lot of time in Smelterville.”
According to Stutzke, Smelterville’s growing business district is seeing increased criminal activity and has recently seen its fair share of arrests. This includes a substantial meth and fentanyl bust, where the deputy happened to be at a gas station when he initiated a traffic stop.
“We brought this up to the mayor. The more business you bring in, the more it’s going to demand from us,” Stutzke said.
Dose said he is pleased with the SCSO for navigating the situation and gaining ground on missed revenue but is concerned by the county bearing much of the tax burden for an incorporated community.
“The county taxpayers are supplementing the city taxpayers,” Dose said. "It’s great that we’re trying to help Smelterville out, but the sheriff’s department doesn’t need these non-breakeven situations, but we appreciate the efforts to grow the contract.”
The contract will take effect when signed by Smelterville’s administration.