No more force in Minneota?
By Deb GauThere isn't much doubt that the city of Minneota will need to look at sustainable budget cuts to cope with reductions in state aid money, city officials said this week. Whether those cuts should include Minneota's police department, however, is still up for debate.
"There's not a lot I can say at this point. I understand some cuts have to be made" in the city's budget, said Minneota Police Chief Eric Johnson. However, he said, that doesn't mean the city has to eliminate police. "Basically, it falls into the hands of community members. People need to speak up."
Minneota Mayor Paul Larson said the city is still looking for feedback on proposed budget cuts brought forward at the Minneota City Council's March 2 meeting. Proposals included freezing city wages, delaying equipment purchases, cuts to the city swimming pool and money budgeted for planting shade trees. Suggestions also included re-organizing or eliminating the police department.
Minneota lost more than $30,000 in LGA funds in December, and is bracing for $170,000 more during the next two years.
"We're at a point where we're going to have to make some major decisions," Larson said of the city budget.
However, he stressed that those decisions haven't been made yet. "It's all very preliminary."
Minneota currently employs two police officers. Larson said net costs for the department are about $137,000 per year. By eliminating one police position or contracting with the Lyon County Sheriff's Department, Larson said the city could save more than $5,000 a month.
Minneota City Council member Tony Esping said he, Larson and Minneota Clerk/Administrator Dan Canton met with city employees, including police, to try and find ways to deal with future LGA cuts. Minneota could opt to reduce budget spending or raise taxes, Esping said.
"At this time, with the economy the way it is now, we didn't think it could be done through taxes," he said.
The cities of Pipestone and Luverne contract with their county sheriff's departments for law enforcement coverage, Larson said. In Lyon County, the cities of Cottonwood, Russell and Ghent also contract with the sheriffs.
Cottonwood City Administrator Greg Isaackson said the city has contracted with the county for law enforcement since 1989. Cottonwood receives 200 patrol hours per month, at an annual fee of $68,500.
"I'd estimate it would cost about twice that much for us to have our own police department," Isaackson said.
Isaackson said contracting with the sheriffs also helps get rid of problems with high employee turnover that can sometimes occur in small towns.
The city of Balaton, meanwhile, has a single police officer supplemented with part-time help during community events. Balaton Clerk/Treasurer Mary Moore said the city's 2009 budget allowed $67,304 for police.
Tracy has a three-member police department, although it is currently leaving a fourth position unfilled to save money, said City Administrator Audrey Koopman. The possibility of contracting with the county sheriffs had been brought up in the past, Koopman said, but "it was not well received." Residents wanted more local law enforcement present.
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Department said none of the cities in Lincoln County contract with the sheriffs for coverage.
But Johnson and Lyon County Sheriff Mark Mather said police department cuts aren't the only option for Minneota, officials said. Mather and Johnson said there are grant funds aimed at hiring recovery available through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. The COPS grants provide three years' entry level salary and benefits for approved law enforcement positions. Mather said the grants can apply to new hires, or bring back officers who have been or will be laid off.
There's a lot Minneota could lose by cutting the police department entirely, Johnson said.
"People need to look at the kind of service they'll be getting," he said. Having police in town means faster response times, Johnson said. It also means that officers are more available to attend community and school events, serve as funeral escorts and fulfill other duties.
"We have a very strong presence in the schools. The kids know who we are," Johnson said. Both Minneota officers are also part of the community.
"For me, Minneota is home now. I've invested a lot of time becoming part of the community," Johnson said. "People have developed a rapport with us."
Johnson said community members sometimes feel more comfortable approaching him personally with concerns, on or off duty. It's harder to do that with a deputy sheriff on patrol.
"And there is a certain amount of identity involved with losing a police department. It's kind of like when you lose your own school," Johnson said.
"We have to think strategically. What do we want 10 or 15 years from now?" Johnson said. Once the city police department is gone, it will be hard to bring it back.
Larson said the budget proposals, including cuts to the police force, could help counter LGA cuts expected the next couple of years and set the groundwork for a tighter overall budget in the future.
"We need to look for some things that have some sustainability," Larson said.
Larson and Esping said the Minneota council has taken no action on the budget proposals. Council members are gathering feedback, which will likely be discussed at the council's April 6 meeting.
"We're getting a lot of community feedback," Larson said.
Esping said so far, he had been hearing mixed comments on cutting the police department.
"This one is a big issue," he said. E-mails he had received on the subject were about half in favor, half against police cuts.
Residents can give their thoughts on the budget proposals by contacting the Minneota city office or a council member.
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John240
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03-18-09 2:49 PM
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It is inapropriate to post annynomus derogitory statements. It dose the city and the police department harm. If an individual wants to express their concerns about the current proposals or the budget cuts they should contact the city or council members.
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merioncooper
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03-18-09 12:47 PM
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Minneotaresident: You'd better be careful there, you are putting yourself, and the Independent, in line to be sued for defamation with comments like that.
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Depmptley
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03-17-09 6:58 PM
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I have known the mayor Paul for a long time. He hired the current chief of police. Paul has not always agreed with the actions of the department but he would not act irrationally. If the city can save substantial amounts of money by contracting then do it. I however, live in the county and don't feel that I shouldn't have to subsidize law enforcement for minneota. They need to pay the entire cost of a contract deputy or keep their own department.
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Minneotaresident
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03-17-09 6:51 PM
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We will see how the city council and mayor treat the police department. Your have a mayor who has not supported the department in the past and fired or drove away several officers. You have a council member who drinks himself unconscious at least monthly. There is another council member who was seriously involved in the drug trade several years ago. everybody in Minneota knows who these people are. It looks to me like the bars and other liquor establishments are trying to punish the police for doing their jobs.
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AXLROSE
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03-17-09 12:46 PM
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There are some hard core ganstas in Minneota.
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dustyrusty
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03-17-09 10:49 AM
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Minneota should think very carefully their idea of closing their police department.I live in Cottonwood and can tell first hand ho having the county patrol our town. First of there are approx. 720 hours in a month so 200 hours of patrol is less than 1/3 of the time. Also any police action is after the fact.I cannot remember when a crime was prevented since the county has been contracted to police our town. Noise and nuisance complaints might as well be forgotten as the county has much more important matters, such as drug and alcohal enforcement. Minneota, keep your police department if you want to keep your town peacefull
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