The INDEPENDENT, February 3,2005
Page 13
Banks council hears proposal by Washington Co. Sheriff’s office
.
. .
.
__________
h m
cm
fo a rin n th a t
teams, task forces and commu cided not to do so, fearing that
sheriff’s
salary,
$93,257
for
.75
Banks City Council listened
nity resources. Gordon said a new vehicle would present a
with focused attention, at a full time employee (FTE) and
that field services are available poor public image when at
January 27 workshop, and 66 cents per mile for a vehicle.
tempting to pass a department
The council was already to the city now, but access
asked many questions during a
would be greatly enhanced with levy. Richards noted that other
presentation by the Washing painfully aware of the adminis
department equipment is out
an officer on site.
ton County Sheriff’s Office trative burden imposed on the
Gordon
explained
that dated to the point that finding
(WCSO) outlining a potential city when trying to support their
Banks could choose to supply repairs is becoming difficult.
model for providing police serv own department. Banks has
Deputy Jason Hermann,
and maintain their own vehicle
had
a
large
turnover
of
officers
ices for the city. Later in the
(as long as it met county stan who is serving in Gaston, told
and
has
been
without
a
chief
evening, Mayor Mike Lyda dis
dards), but there are many ad council that he enjoys the re
cussed with council the costs of since May 2003. Sheriff Gordon
vantages in using a county ve wards of being a part of the
supporting the police depart presented a graphic showing
hicle. A county officer in Banks community, as opposed to op
ment from the general fund the required administrative du
would have a fully equipped erating out of the district office.
ties,
which
include
filing
re
through 2006.
Because of his relationship with
ports, developing policies, han and maintained vehicle, includ
other officers in the county,
dling human resource issues, ing a federally mandated mo
Gaston model described
Hermann said, the city is “real
arranging required training op bile terminal upgrade required
Based on the model of com
ly getting 24/7 coverage” since
portunities, etc. In a small by September of this year. The
he communicates with them at
munity policing developed over
agency, administration can city could make decisions
the beginning and end of each
the last year with the City of
consume about 60 percent of a about the appearance of a
shift. Additionally, his hours are
Gaston, Sheriff Rob Gordon ex
department’s available time. county car, and would pay for
plained that having an officer
flexible, allowing him to attend
With an additional amount, mileage only within the city. Es
community and school events.
permanently stationed in Gas
about 10 percent, used by re timating that an officer would
Councilor Teri Branstitre
ton has created “an outpost” of
quired leaves, a small agency average 25-30 miles per day,
asked if a single .75 officer, as
the department in that part of
has only 30 percent, or so, of or less, the cost to the city
the county, a great advantage
would be about $30 per day. In Hermann works under the Gas
hours available for field work.
ton contract, could provide ade
to the sheriff’s office. “The
In contrast, Gordon said, the past, the city has budgeted
quate coverage for Banks
smartest way to police small
“The county’s goal is to provide $40,000 per year for materials
which has twice the population.
communities is to form partner
thirty hours [per week] of police and services, with most of that
Garrett said that the city could
ships with strong communica
time in the field,” which they amount going to vehicle main
contract for whatever level of
tion,” according to Gordon,
can do because, as a large de tenance.
coverage they desired. A Banks
both within the community and
partment, economy of scale
Police Department budget was
to the county. The greatest ad
provides a wide range of ad Vehicle, equipment
about $180,000 per year under
vantage may be that an officer
ministrative services. WCSO is considerations
the previous levy, which for the
would always be available for
a nationally accredited police
Banks
Police
Officer
Rob
last couple of years forced the
the position, even if the regular
training agency, has a complete Richards, currently in training, department to postpone vehicle
officer is on leave or in training.
policy manual and can provide said that council will “be looking maintenance and other equip
Chief Deputy Pat Garrett,
a variety of professional man at cars” if they decided to fur
ment upgrades. The same
who has attended several
agement services including nish a vehicle or maintain a po
a m o u n t could. Dotentially, pur
council meetings, presented
specialists in records manage lice department. The city’s two
the “nuts and bolts” of the op
ment, peer support, grant writ active vehicles each have over
tions developed for Banks by
ing, crime prevention, purchas 100,000 miles and require con
the sheriff’s department: The
ing, and statistics. In addition, stant maintenance. Last year,
county would provide an expe
the county provides a broad council budgeted funds to
rienced officer working inside
range of field support services lease a vehicle, a cheaper op
the city limits three-quarters
including specialty response tion over the long run, then de
time, with the additional quarter
time spent in the local area out
side the city. In addition, the
county would assume most of
the administrative duties and
furnish a car. The cost to the
city would include a median
Oak Village
Laundromat
4 Jumbo
Washers
Air-conditioned
Easy Access w ith
Ample Parking
located next to
Jim's Market
at the junction of
Hwy 47 & Hwy 6
Main Street, Banks
□
■I
with
chase a 1.5 FTE contract with
Washington County.
City funding considered
Mayor Lyda outlined a pro
posal that would hire a chief to
redevelop the city’s department
for the remainder of this fiscal
year, creating a carryover to the
2005-2006 budget of $68,250.
Supplemented by a transfer of
$111,750 from the general
fund, this would allow the city to
have a two-person department
with a budget of $180,000,
through 2006.
He then initiated discussion
of the two proposals, saying
that the Washington County
plan was “the full meal deal” as
opposed to the lean city-oper
ated department possible on a
$180,000 budget that “didn’t
work before.” Councilor Kirk
Andrews suggested that the
city should start small [with a
.75 contract] and see how this
level of service met the city’s
needs.
City Attorney Jim Lucas not
ed that “nobody in Washington
County” has ever passed a
double majority levy (which a
November 2005 election would
be). Regardless of whether the
city maintains its own depart
ment or contracts with Wash
ington County, a public safety
levy will be required for a future
Droaram.
■Z
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