SCSO takes on Wardner contract

WALLACE — On Tuesday morning, the Shoshone Board of County Commissioners signed into action a contract between the city of Wardner and the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office.

After contracting with the Kellogg Police Department for quite some time, the two entities decided not to renew their contract, which ended at midnight on Oct. 1.

The SCSO will receive $25,000 per year from the city of Wardner in exchange for 50-100 hours of guaranteed patrol through the small town each month.

Wardner had been paying the city of Kellogg $24,000 annually with a 3% increase each year — which covered police patrol, investigation and criminal prosecution, animal control and administration of Wardner’s dog licensing.

The Kellogg Police Department will still respond to calls in the area if they can be on scene quicker than a sheriff’s deputy, but the daily routine patrol will now be conducted solely by the SCSO.

Wardner now joins a list along with Smelterville and Mullan, as Shoshone County cities with mayors and city councils, who contract with the SCSO.

BOCC chairman Mike Fitzgerald was thrilled with SCSO taking on the contract with Wardner and looks at it as an example of the good work being done by Sheriff Mike Gunderson and his department.

“Acquiring the Wardner law enforcement contract is one of the many good examples of the quality Sheriff’s Office personnel and leadership we have in Shoshone County,” Fitzgerald said. “I believe that, as happens daily throughout our community, the city of Wardner will be well served by the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office.”