The King County Sheriff’s Office has started to move in to its new satellite precinct office in Covington.

Staff first began moving office supplies in on Dec. 20.

According to King County Sheriff’s spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West, they are aiming to have the precinct office up and running no later than Jan. 1.

Covington City Council agreed to lease the 1,000 square foot space to the Sheriff’s Office after Sheriff Sue Rahr decided to close the East Precinct Headquarters in Maple Valley due to budget constraints.

The new precinct satellite office will house 30 to 50 officers who patrol unincorporated areas of King County. Although they are able to do much of their work on their in-vehicle computers, they will need to use the precinct office in order to update their computer software and publish their reports.

The lease, which was approved by the City Council at its Aug. 9 meeting, is expected to save Covington approximately $32,000 annually in contract costs for its police department.The sublease agreement is for six years plus two possible five-year extension periods.