SCOTTVILLE — The Scottville City Commission voted Monday, Jan. 13, to eliminate the city police department. The action was the result of a deficit the city is facing, according to Interim City Manager Clarence Goodlein.
Last fall, Interim City Manager Clarence Goodlein reported to the commission that the city was nearly $500,000 in debt due to various incidences of overspending over the previous few years (see related story here). Goodlein proposed several ways the city could save money, the most notable was to eliminate or re-align police services.
Since fiscal year 2021/2022, the city’s general fund has shown a deficit of $473,379. The city’s fiscal year is July 1 to June 30. In 2021/2022 it outspent revenue by $16,728. That deficit increased to $227,739 and $228,912 in 2022/2023 and $228,912 in 2023/2024.
The city’s annual general fund budget is $1.41 million, generated through 16 tax mills.
Goodlein has been interim city manager since June following the resignation of city manager Jimmy Newkirk. Goodlein has worked in public service for over 45 years, with his resume including service as the city manager of Flushing and public safety director and police chief of Wixom.
Goodlein said the deficit has occurred through several actions including an un-budgeted $368,005 repair of a water main along with un-budgeted repaving of a portion of a city parking lot for $43,000 and the mis-management of a state grant to a local business of $50,000.
“In addition, there was just several incidences of over-spending that have occurred over the past few years,” Goodlein said.
Goodlein proposed several ways the city commission could reduce expenses including cutting his salary and hours worked, leasing the operations of the city’s boat ramp, returning zoning, building code enforcement and rental regulations to internal control, and eliminating or re-aligning police services.
City property owners currently pay 16 mills that generate $1.4 million annually for the general fund. By statute, city commission can raise that up to 20 mills. An additional 4 mills would generate $260,250 a year.
Raising property taxes beyond the allowed 20 mills would require a vote of the people and would not even be possible until November of this year, which would be too late, as the city must drastically reduce debt before June 30 without intervention from the state government.
Monday’s action will mean the Mason County Sheriff Office will provide coverage to the city, as both agencies have already been doing. Michigan State Police also provides coverage to the city as it does with all other municipalities in the state. Goodlein said he is meeting with Mason County Undersheriff Derrek Wilson today to discuss the process of transferring law enforcement records and cases to the sheriff’s office along with some equipment as well.
Goodlein said the transfer is expected to take 60 to 90 days.
The action of the commission on Monday does not create a formal agreement with the sheriff’s office, such as a dedicated deputy to the city, which has been discussed in the past. According to records obtained by MCP of both Scottville Police Department and the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, MCSO has been handling the vast majority of felonious crimes in the city. The city would consider contracting for special events and other services, Goodlein said.
See related story here.
Goodlein said the move to eliminate the police department will mean the city will be able to cover an immediate deficit of $200,000, which means prevents any type of intervention from the state.
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