Consent 1.C.
City Council Regular Business Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 07/13/2026
- TITLE
- Approval of the Yellowstone County DUI Center Agreement for Blood Draw Services
- PRESENTED BY:
- Rich St. John
- Department:
- Police
Presentation:
No
Legal Review:
Yes
Project Number:
N/A
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve the Agreement with the Yellowstone County DUI Center for blood draw services.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Yellowstone County Detention Facility (YCDF) operates a centralized DUI Processing Center that serves multiple law enforcement agencies throughout Yellowstone County. Historically, on-site blood draw services were provided at no cost through YCDF's contracted medical provider, creating an efficient and cost-effective process for DUI investigations.
Following a change in medical providers approximately one year ago, on-site blood draw services were discontinued. As a result, law enforcement agencies were required to transport DUI arrestees to local medical facilities for evidentiary blood draws at a cost of approximately $275 per draw. This process increased costs for participating agencies and significantly impacted officer availability due to transportation and wait times.
YCDF has successfully negotiated the reinstatement of on-site blood draw services through its current medical provider. Under the new arrangement, blood draws will be performed at the DUI Processing Center for $150 per successful draw. This service restores a more efficient process, reduces costs to participating agencies, minimizes officer out-of-service time, and enhances the overall effectiveness of DUI enforcement operations throughout the county.
The Billings Police Department respectfully requests that the City Council approve the attached Agreement.
Following a change in medical providers approximately one year ago, on-site blood draw services were discontinued. As a result, law enforcement agencies were required to transport DUI arrestees to local medical facilities for evidentiary blood draws at a cost of approximately $275 per draw. This process increased costs for participating agencies and significantly impacted officer availability due to transportation and wait times.
YCDF has successfully negotiated the reinstatement of on-site blood draw services through its current medical provider. Under the new arrangement, blood draws will be performed at the DUI Processing Center for $150 per successful draw. This service restores a more efficient process, reduces costs to participating agencies, minimizes officer out-of-service time, and enhances the overall effectiveness of DUI enforcement operations throughout the county.
The Billings Police Department respectfully requests that the City Council approve the attached Agreement.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The Yellowstone County Detention Facility (YCDF) hosts space for DUI processing for multiple Agencies, known as the DUI Center. Historically, YCDF prior to over a year ago, provided blood draw services to the agencies at the DUI Center at no cost through their contracted onsite medical provider. About a year ago, YCDF contracted with a new medical provider who did not provide blood draw services. As a result, all Law Enforcement Agencies began to take all blood draws to local medical facilities who charged approximately $275 per draw and required officers to transport to and from the facility prior to remanding at YCDF. This process was expensive and resulted in increased out of service time for officers. YCDF has renegotiated onsite blood draw services with it’s current medical provider for a fee of $150 per successful blood draw.
During the past 12 months, the Police Department was billed for 145 blood draws, totaling approximately $37,240 as prices increased from $255 to $275. Under the proposed YCDF onsite service rate, those same draws would have cost about $21,750. If the number of annual draws remains consistent, the Police Department anticipates an FY27 savings of approximately $18,000.
During the past 12 months, the Police Department was billed for 145 blood draws, totaling approximately $37,240 as prices increased from $255 to $275. Under the proposed YCDF onsite service rate, those same draws would have cost about $21,750. If the number of annual draws remains consistent, the Police Department anticipates an FY27 savings of approximately $18,000.
FISCAL EFFECTS
Blood draws are budgeted for in the Billings Police Department General Fund.
STAKEHOLDERS
Yellowstone County Detention Facility; Billings Police Department.
ALTERNATIVES
- Approve the Agreement with the Yellowstone County DUI Center or;
- Not approved the Agreement with the Yellowstone County DUI Center and provide further direction to staff.