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Ludington and Scottville will again have a joint operating agreement between police departments. Beginning Jan. 1 of this year, the Ludington Police Department oversaw administration of the Scottville Police Department.
Both the Scottville City Commission and the Ludington City Council approved a second year of the agreement at their meetings tonight.
Under the current agreement, Scottville pays Ludington $20,000 a year along with $5,000 per year for use of Ludington’s police chief and captain, a total cost of $30,000.
The only addition to the new agreement is a stipulation that if the city of Scottville needed the services of the Ludington police detective, it would pay up to $5,000 for the use of such services.
Scottville City Manager Amy Williams said the city has used the detective a few times this year.
Overall, she said, the agreement has worked out well.
“With everything new, there is a learning curve, but I think overall it has been a good thing for the city as we continue to provide our residents with police services,” she said.
Police Chief Mark Barnett said the agreement has worked out well.
“The most important thing is what the residents think about the agreement,” Barnett said. “We’ve received positive feedback about this agreement and I believe it has helped increase police coverage in Scottville.”
The agreement is for one year. Williams said the two cities’ public safety committees are expected to meet next year to discuss the future of the agreement.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
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