Cashmere joins other small cities in planning response to prosecution cost increase

CASHMERE — Cashmere is coordinating with three other small cities on a response to proposed increases in Chelan County prosecution charges, seeking alternatives to a rate that could nearly triple its annual bill.

City Clerk Elizabeth Martinez told the Cashmere City Council on Sept. 28 that the cities plan to return to the county with a proposal. Options under discussion include phasing in the increase or charging different rates based on the types of cases prosecutors handle.

“The plan is for all four cities to go back with a proposal,” Martinez said.

Based on a county report listing 45 cases at $675 each, Cashmere’s projected prosecution cost would be $30,375, compared with $10,500 in 2026. Martinez emphasized that she was still investigating the proposal and would return with more information.

She said the county had provided a breakdown of the work behind the proposed charge: $196.35 per case before the first court hearing, $429 for hearing preparation and $50 for ongoing monitoring, including additional discovery and contact with victims and witnesses.

Martinez questioned whether a uniform charge adequately reflects differences between cases. She said she was examining how other counties charge for prosecution services and wanted more detail about the cases used to calculate the proposed rate.

“From my perspective, I don’t think all of them should be charged the same,” Martinez said.

Council members also asked about case outcomes, including whether prosecutions proceed to a plea or conviction or ultimately result in dismissal. Another question was whether the county itself was budgeting comparable increases or shifting more of the cost to cities.

Martinez said she wanted to explore a meeting involving the participating cities so they could discuss their concerns together.

A phased increase could soften the immediate financial impact, but Martinez said that option might require a multiyear agreement. Cashmere’s prosecution agreement has traditionally been renewed annually, and the number of cases changes from year to year.

Mayor Jim Fletcher acknowledged that charging according to the work involved in each case could create its own administrative burden. Tracking every task would be difficult, he said, suggesting that standardized categories based on case type might offer an alternative.

Fletcher said the size of the increase from one year to the next was a central concern, while noting that prosecution rates had not increased during the previous two years.

The discussion came as Cashmere prepares its 2027 budget and examines other criminal justice expenses. Council members also referenced a separate proposed jail rate of $213 per day, underscoring that incarceration and prosecution are distinct costs borne by the city.

Fletcher said the cooperation among the four small cities could provide a foundation for addressing other county issues together.

“I think the other thing I like is the fact that we’ve gotten all four of the small cities together to talk,” he said.

No revised prosecution agreement was approved at the meeting. Martinez said she would continue gathering information as the cities develop their response.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media