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By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.
SCOTTVILLE — The Scottville Public Safety Committee will meet Wednesday, July 15 at 4:30 p.m. The meeting has one agenda item, the police department. The meeting has been called by Mayor Dick Macki following an attempt by two commissioners to disband the department during the city commission’s regular meeting Monday, July 6. Committee meetings are open to the public.
During the commission meeting, Commissioner Don Pasco made a motion to disband the police department; the motion received support from Commissioner Ed Hahn but was voted down 5-2 with all commissioners present. Pasco and Hahn claimed cutting the police department would be a way to save money for the city. The department’s annual budget is $150,000. On a home with a taxable value of $50,000, the cost averages about $15 per month for police protection.
Hahn also claimed he had a discussion with Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole about the sheriff’s office providing protection for the city. Cole told MCP that he did talk to Hahn and provided him with cost estimates that were generated by Mason County Administrator Fabian Knizacky. The cost to contract with the city would be about $108,000 per year per deputy and vehicle.
Currently, Scottville Police Department employs two full-time officers, a part-time chief/administrator and five part-time officers.
Hahn told the commission Monday that the sheriff’s department did not have to be paid because it was obligated to provide protection to the entire county. Cole said this was true, however, the sheriff’s office would not provide a dedicated deputy to the City of Scottville nor would it enforce city ordinances. Some of the most common city ordinance complaints are barking dogs, fireworks and junk/unlicensed vehicles.
Sheriff Cole said he plans on attending Wednesday’s meeting, which will be held at city hall, 105 N. Main Street.
A citizens’ petition has been started and is available at G&M Burgers, 124 S. Main Street, to encourage the city to keep its police department.
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