Uinta County holding ICE detainees short term — Sheriff proposes using ICE income to fund raises for deputies

EVANSTON — During a June 25 special county commission meeting, Uinta County Sheriff Andy Kopp requested pay raises for his agency and updated the commissioners about a new revenue opportunity. 

Citing a 2018 Immigrations Customs Enforcement contract between the Uinta County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshal Service, Kopp said his office has started holding inmates “based on a transportation basis — no longer than 72 hours.”  

According to Kopp, a recent audit discovered that revenue from the arrangement has increased drastically over the past three weeks. 

“They (ICE) said they need us more than we need them,” Kopp said. 

He said that, conservatively, it could bring in $40,000 to $50,000 a month. 

He said that’s based on billing $120 a day per inmate for up to 25 beds. 

“Just to be clear,” Kopp said, “Uinta County has not participated in any raids or anything like that, nor have there been any in Uinta County. This is merely a way to make revenue in hard times.” 

Kopp said he feels confident that the income stream would be steady through the end of President Donald Trump’s current administration. 

He also asserted that all of the ICE detainments funneled through Uinta County Jail would be criminal in nature. 

“We’ve built a solid team out there at the sheriff’s office,” Kopp said, citing little turnover. He said those who do leave, are doing so for competitive pay. 

“We need to catch up on salaries,” said Kopp, requesting pay increases for his entire agency to match what the Evanston Police Department pays its officers, which he said would be at least a $7 per hour raise. 

“They’re not leaving the community; they’re leaving to make a living,” Undersheriff Trevor Rasmussen said. 

Kopp updated the commission on recent substantial budget cuts of $61,250 from the jail and another $125,750 from patrol. Bridger Valley office hours will be reduced to four hours a day, three days a week, saving the county $147,750. Three administrative positions were also eliminated. 

“This is a whole state problem with the sheriff’s departments,” Uinta County Commissioner Eric South said. “They’re losing people, and they can’t cover all the areas they’re supposed to... We appreciate what you’ve done and worked to get more income into the county to pay your guys.” 

Commission Chair Mark Anderson agreed that the pay raises were long overdue but said he is concerned about the longevity of the ICE revenue to fund them. 

“On the record ... in my mind, it’s not hinged or not correlated with this additional revenue — it’s that we’re behind the times significantly. I’d like to see these raises stick, not tied to federal holds,” he said, agreeing with Kopp’s efforts geared at retention.  “The longer you keep somebody staffed, the service goes right to our constituents.” 

“I share your concerns. I wouldn’t fight so hard for this increase if I didn’t think it was going to work,” Kopp said. 

In addition to the contract with ICE, the sheriff’s office also recently received an additional $50,000 increase for its intensive outpatient program through the Department of Corrections. 

Restructuring the county’s dispatch fees also brought in an additional $220,000. 

“My top two priorities as sheriff [are] the citizens, and then the employees,” Kopp said. “Yes, employees will make more money than me, but I’m not doing my job as sheriff if I hold these guys back.” 

Kopp said he hadn’t brought any solutions to the table before because opportunities were few and far between. He also said that the ICE revenue presented itself.

“Some members of the public might not like it, but unfortunately there’s a process for everyone and that’s what our facility is there for,” he said. “If we can make revenue and make things happen, we’re going to give it a shot.” 

The commission will announce whether or not Kopp’s pay raise proposal is approved during the 2025 fiscal year budget meeting at 2 p.m. on July 15 in the commission chambers at the Uinta County Complex. 

This story was published on July 9, 2025.