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Mayor Larson asks sheriff, Cuyahoga Falls about service costs
Published on Monday, Sep 22, 2008
By Jim Carney
Beacon Journal staff writer
MUNROE FALLS: City officials are considering having police services provided by the Summit County sheriff or Cuyahoga Falls.
''This isn't something that has to be done immediately,'' said Munroe Falls Mayor Frank Larson, ''but we are looking down the road.''
Larson said Munroe Falls residents may eventually have to vote on a tax increase to fund the city's small police force. If such a tax were defeated, the city of 5,300 would look at options to contract out police service.
The Munroe Falls Police Department dates back to 1960 and has eight full-time and six to eight part-time officers. Larson said the department costs the city $978,665 a year, not including capital expenses, out of a general fund budget of $2.2 million.
Summit Sheriff Drew Alexander said his department received a request from Munroe Falls to submit an estimate of what it would cost to have the sheriff provide police service.
So far, Alexander said he hasn't had a response from Munroe Falls.
Larson acknowledged that he had also spoken with Cuyahoga Falls officials about police services.
Cuyahoga Falls already provides dispatching for the Munroe Falls police and fire departments.
Mayor Don Robart of Cuyahoga Falls said his city is ''constantly looking at things we can do together to reduce costs, but we aren't going to do it just for the sake of regionalism.''
There has to be a benefit for both sides, Robart said.
Larson said the key to the discussions is finding out what services could be provided by other agencies and how they compare with what is provided now by the Munroe Falls department.
It's also important to find out what the citizens of Munroe Falls want, he said. A recommendation would be made to City Council after public meetings to get citizen input.
''If the citizens say we want our own police department, we don't want a contract with the sheriff, we don't want a contract with Cuyahoga Falls, I will be prepared to say, OK, this is what it is going to cost,'' Larson said
The mayor said it's his idea to recommend placing a tax issue on the ballot to pay for the police department, which responds to about 4,000 calls a year.
''The citizens will have a vote,'' he said. ''A vote for the tax levy keeps the police department and a vote against the tax levy outsources it.''
Larson said he knows the topic may be difficult at times.
''There is a lot of emotion,'' he said.
Gary Toth, president of Munroe Falls City Council, said he believes that nothing will be done without the support of the community.
''If it is something that is absolutely important to the community, that the police remain,'' Toth said, ''that is our marching orders, that is what we will do.
''If it makes sense that we do something else, it will be the community that will ultimately support that.''
Munroe Falls Police Chief Scott V. Bellinger said he has no idea what will happen with the proposal down the road.
''I'm interested in seeing how the residents react to it,'' he said.
Last November, Norton voters, by more than 2-to-1, turned down a proposal to abolish their city police force and contract with the sheriff.
Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or jcarney@thebeaconjournal.com.
By Jim Carney
Beacon Journal staff writer
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Posted 04:42 AM, 09/22/2008
You're going to start seeing this more and more. It only makes sense for the smaller departments. If they were to go with the Falls, it would benefit everyone, provided they pick up Munroe Falls officers so that no one loses employment. People are being strung way too thin and can't afford the constant tax increases. You would still have the same protection, without all the overhead. Win-win situation.
Front Line, KC
Posted 06:20 AM, 09/22/2008
I moved to Munroe Falls because it is a small community and everyone knows each other. I know most of the police officers and they know the people in the city. It makes for a nice place to live. If Larson would like to out source the police, I would hope that he would also consider also out sourcing his own job. This would be the first step to having Munroe Falls taken over by Cuyahoga Falls. May
Posted 07:50 AM, 09/22/2008
''If the citizens say we want our own police department, we don't want a contract with the sheriff, we don't want a contract with Cuyahoga Falls, I will be prepared to say, OK, this is what it is going to cost,'' Larson said If the citizens are willing to pay the cost of having their own police dept, whats the problem? is
Posted 11:59 AM, 09/22/2008
I'm experienced in coordinating outsourcing arrangements. Did it for Dell computer. I'd be happy to help Munroe Falls taxpayers establish an outsourced local government, as suggested by Sam! My contacts in Bangalore and Warsaw are ready to move on this. Positions such as mayor, police and fire chiefs, and all administrative and accounting positions can easily be offshored. Savings to the taxpayers would be substantial!
