Dunkirk trims officer from force (04/10/07)

DUNKIRK - Reducing the size of the police force by one full-time patrolman was approved Monday night as a cost-cutting measure by this financially strapped city.

Following up on a suggestion initially proposed by Mayor Sam Hubbard at a special budget work session last fall, the council agreed to trim the Dunkirk police force from six full-time officers to five, saving the city about $40,000 annually, Hubbard said.

Introducing the topic for discussion Monday night was Police Chief Arnold Clevenger, who explained that with the help of some scheduling moves, the sixth officer could be dropped from the force with minimal impact.

"We started working a sixth officer in 2001. We were able to do this through a COPS (federal) grant," Clevenger said in a report to the council.

The grant program, which paid for the sixth officer's salary, has since been discontinued.

"We had hoped to increase patrol strength, an investigator position, start a DARE program, etc. We were also hoping the additional officer would help cut back on overtime. This has not been the case," Clevenger said.

An analysis of police department overtime for the months of January and February for the past four years shows a downward trend. For January and February 2007, the department, which had just five officers because one was off on sick leave, had fewer overtime hours than in 2005 with six officers.

"This brings me to the conclusion that we could eliminate an officer's position. This would only hinder a couple of projects that we are working on, but would still allow for maximum shift coverage with proper scheduling. The reduction of overtime, wages and benefits ... should leave us with a considerable savings."

The reduction in force will be made on a seniority basis. Consequently, the sixth officer to join the force, Patrolman Jeremy Bullard, will be dropped from the department roster.

Council members voted to make the move effective today. City officials said Bullard is currently on sick leave. The change was approved 4-0 by council members Larry Smith, Tom Johnson, Jim Doughty and Connie Whetsel. Councilman Craig Faulkner was absent from the meeting.

"I'd rather do it (trim the police department budget) this way than take the dispatchers out," Smith said.

"I hate to say it, but I have to go along with this," Doughty said.

Hubbard added that he doesn't anticipate the need to cut police dispatcher positions.

In other action Monday, council members:

•Heard a report from Hubbard that city officials were awaiting completion of a formal review process by the state before awarding a contract to low bidder Jutte Excavating of Fort Recovery, Ohio, on the Ind. 167 water main relocation project. Hubbard said that he expects the work to begin by June 1, and be finished in September. Jutte's low bid totaled $755,700.

•Agreed to hire the accounting firm of H.J. Umbaugh, Indianapolis, to conduct rate studies for water and wastewater charges with the intention of "flip-flopping" the rate figures for the two departments, but not increasing residential or business rates overall. Hubbard explained that currently the water department budget is struggling to remain afloat, while the wastewater department budget has a surplus.

Meanwhile Hubbard said his own personal bill shows $12 going to the water department and $18 going to the wastewater department.

City attorney William Hinkle recommended conducting the rate studies prior to making any changes. The council directed that each study should not exceed $3,000.

•Voted to buy 300 new Neptune Touch-Read water meters at a cost of $104 each from Utility Supply Company of Peru, Ind. About 135 of them will be used in connection with the Ind. 167 water main relocation project. Water department superintendent Dace Mumbower said the new meters will save time for employees and also provide more accurate readings, adding to city revenues. These new water meters will provide more accurate readings and "pay for themselves," Mumbower said.

•Tabled enforcement of no parking regulations along Pearl Street, pending more study by Jay School Corporation officials.

•Adopted an ordinance amendment to keep dogs and cats 50 feet from playground equipment or picnic tables in Dunkirk City Park.

•Noted that Johnson is continuing to look for volunteers who would be interested in serving on a committee to determine future uses for the Dunkirk depot building.

•Approved hiring Goodhew Roofing Service of Ridgeville to replace the metal roof on the Dunkirk street department garage building. The company's quote to replace the leading roof was $14,250.[[In-content Ad]]