Rising Costs Lead Yoncalla to Drop Sheriff’s Office Contract

YONCALLA — On Monday night, the Yoncalla City Council unanimously confirmed the city cannot keep paying for contracted police services. The current agreement runs through December 31, 2025, when it is set to end.

The issue began last spring, when the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office quoted about a 4% increase, bringing the annual cost to roughly $140,000. The prospect of higher costs led to turmoil at City Hall, including resignations by some council members and the city administrator.

City leaders explored options. They considered a law-enforcement levy but first tested public sentiment with unofficial ballots distributed to Yoncalla Post Office boxes. According to Interim City Administrator Dan Chandler, results were strongly negative. The council also declined to add a public safety fee to utility bills - an approach used in Sutherlin—because Yoncalla may soon need room on utility bills for infrastructure improvements.

Chandler told the council that paying for the contract from city funds was no longer feasible and that Yoncalla has been relying on reserves it can no longer use. In October, the council nearly ended the contract immediately, and several residents spoke in favor of termination. Since the fiscal quarter had already started, the council waited one month to consult county officials about possible alternatives.

At Monday’s meeting, with no alternative identified, the council passed the resolution to terminate the contract unanimously and without discussion. As read by Mayor Pauline Kingery and explained by Chandler, the contract ends December 31, 2025—the midpoint of the 2025–26 fiscal year—with a final payment due in January. Either party can terminate with 30 days’ notice.

According to prior sheriff’s office presentations and information posted by Sheriff John Hanlin, the enhanced services include nighttime business checks, enforcement of city ordinances, neighborhood patrols, and traffic enforcement within city limits.