11-14-07 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 14, 2007 The Administrator indicated that the contracting cities group feels that the direction the Sheriff's is going in revising the formula is reasonable. The Administrator pointed out that North Oaks will likely not feel that the adjustments will go far enough. They were seeking to reduce their policing costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $200,000. The Administrator indicated that the contracting cities group has told North Oaks that they will support the revisions suggested by the Sheriff, and if North Oaks is looking for more, they should obtain proposals for policing. The Adminisriator pointed out that there will be increased pressures on Little Canada's budget over the next few years. He again urged the Council not to use one-time moneys to address these pressures. The Council discussed the high cost of providing police protection, especially since Little Canada is dissected by 35E, 694, Highway 36, and abuts Rice Street. The Administrator agreed that this impacts Little Canada hemendously, more so than coning decisions that were made by the City in the early 1960's. Blesener suggested that it may be time for Little Canada to seek proposals for policing services. The Administrator reported that he informed the Sheriff that the City may do that. He noted that proposals have been obtained in the past, but were more expensive than the Sheriffls Department. However, the cost of the Sheriffls Contract may have reached the point where other agencies could compete from a cost standpoint. It was noted that there would be an extremely high cost for Little Canada to create its own police department. McGraw asked about the City's review of the Sheriffls Department budget. The City Administrator indicated that the contracting group does a thorough review of the Sheriff's Budget, and has watched costs very closely over the years. He also noted that some non-contracting jurisdictions have claimed that the contracting cities are getting too good of a deal. McGraw asked if review has been done comparing the numbers of calls generated by property owners in the City versus people or traffic just passing through. The Administrator indicated that this has not been done directly. The Council discussed the City's responsibility in prosecuting certain offenses which also adds costs.