The Okanogan County Narcotics Task Force reduced its funding request from Twisp and Winthrop by a whopping 80% for 2026.
The request is so low, it’s “likely not unsustainable,” according to Twisp Mayor Hans Smith, but given the realities of town budgets in Okanogan County, the task force moved to a contribution formula based on population size.
Twisp, with an assessed population of 1,110 residents, according to the task force, is asked to pay $5,870, an increase from $5,000 in 2025.
Winthrop, with an assessed population of 605 residents, will remain at a $5,000 annual contribution, according to Winthrop Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Gaines.
Unincorporated Okanogan County is asked to pay $152,062, according to a worksheet provided the Smith.
The task force initially contemplated asking $50,000 from both Winthrop and Twisp. The official ask was later reduced to $25,000.
Sgt. Josh Petker told both Winthrop and Twisp town councils that without the contribution increase, the task force would not investigate cases within their jurisdictions. Given the interrelated web of narcotics trafficking in the county, it’s questionable how this would have been enforced, according to a source from the sheriff’s department.
Mayor Smith told the Twisp Council on Tuesday, “They were initially asking for $25,000 and part of the reason is they were incorporating other elements in the budget that they had good justification for, but because this is such a big impact to all the participating jurisdictions, they really decided to move to a base level of funding for 2026, which is likely not sustainable. So, we will likely see increases requested in the future.”
The task force was forced to ask for an increase in funding from the county and participating towns after funds from a federal grant were diverted toward mental health outreach.
The task force sets up stings through informants to bust high level drug traffickers in Okanogan County. They do not go after street dealers or users. They rarely publicze their operations or successes because it could damage investigation of other cases, according to Petker.
The task force recently invited mayors to their meeting, which is usually closed. Smith said he could not disclose much due to the sensitive nature of their work, but expressed his appreciation for a fuller understanding of their operations.
“I’m very thankful that they decided to host a meeting with mayors that are having to also face that same funding request decision. This level of funding, I do want to reiterate, is not sustainable, but losing the task force outright is also not a solution,” said Smith.
Twisp will get a new task force agreement by the end of the year that the council will need to approve. Smith found support for the task force from councilmembers.
Winthrop has budgeted $5,000 for the task force in 2026, according to Gaines.
