09/14/1970 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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but this was not indefinitely; it would depend on the tax base here and the rest of the County. The actual figures are negotiable; it also depends on matching Federal grants to the County. Mr. Kordiak stated that he personally feels that even if the County has to pay the full $133,000 that we couldn't duplicate the services from the County. Gene McMurchie asked Mr. Kordiak about the cost. of running the Sheriff's office now and was told that the County would still have to assess 61 mills to run the Sheriff's office as is. He mentioned that in Columbia Heights it costs $1 0/Capita to run the full time police force and they still must pay the Sheriff's mileage. Benjy Munson stated that the cost was not $5 /capita to run the Sheriff's office but $8. Eleven percent of the money we pay to the County goes to the Sheriff's Department. Mr. Munson stated that if we went with the County proposal, We would be paying for service we pay for now but don't get. He felt we should get what we pay 'for. The cost should level off at $10. Sheriff Talbot countered that they had broken down the service costs and that the cost to Lexington for the Sheriff's office was $2.21 per capita and it was approxi- mately the same all over the County except for Anoka, Fridley and Columbia Heights. He felt that with all the services his department provides, we are getting our money's worth. There was discussion on other items such as a bailiff, juvenile services, etc., which had been requested but not provided from the Sheriff's office. Mayor L'Allier stated that Lino Lakes budgeted $15,000 for policing in the 1970 budget, that a 12 mill increase would make a 50% increase in the police budget. • Robert Drowns, author of the consolidated proposal, was asked for his comments. Be mentioned that under the consolidation we would have our own autonomy, that the Sheriff's proposal would not negate our responsibility, that it was our choice of what would be more practical and efficient. Mr. Drowns would not state his perference on the proposals, but stated that the people must choose the proposal which would give them more personal service. There was discussion on the number of cars which would be available under either plan, the possibilities of cancelling out after a short period if the choice should prove undesirable, the disposition of present equipment, etc., amid several questions from the audience. Mr. Kordiak stated definitely that the County can legally subsidize such a program. Mr. L'Allier called on members of the part time forces for comments. Marvin Myhre stated that all the part time men would like to continue their work and would like to be trained. However, an employer will not give a man 6 weeks off for such train- ing. He felt that we would not receive a lot of services from the County or the combined force which the part time police offer now. *. L'Allier commented that the part time men are very dedicated; their worksheets show the great amount of time they spend on the job; the new car has put on 20,000 miles in a few months, besides using the old car in conjunction. Mr. Drowns commented that the training period would be extended to 12 weeks after Labor Day. Of the 8 part time police officers in the audience, none could take off 6 weeks for training. Mr. Myhre stated that he will step down for something better, but he objects to getting service not as good as present. The Lino Lakes Department has assisted all the other departments present and even the County at various times.