Redkey discusses police credit card

REDKEY — To get a credit card or not to get a credit card, that remains the question.

Redkey Town Council members talked about the possibility of getting a credit card for the police department to cover expenses as necessary when officers are out of town, but eventually tabled the discussion.

Recently, an officer’s car battery died while driving to marshal school. The officer purchased a replacement battery for the car.

But as a result of the situation, the department is asking to get a credit card to make purchases when out of town.

The current procedure calls for officers to make such purchases out-of-pocket and then be reimbursed by the town. Such an occurrence had only happened once previously.

“I just sat in a class about a week ago, and the allowable purchases for a Visa card or credit card is subscriptions, periodicals, membership dues, conference, workshops, meeting expenses and travel,” said Debbie James, clerk-treasurer. “I do not recommend a credit card because if anyone fails to use it properly it does not fall back on them it falls back on the clerk treasurer.”

But council member Mike Wright pushed for a credit card.

“I know what I was told if you’re out of town and the alternator goes out our insurance we have does not cover road insurance,” he said. “So if they have to have something done in New Castle or Muncie, you know, how do we cover it?”

The Town of Redkey currently has one credit card that is connected to the general checking account.

“It would have to be in the name of the town,” said town attorney Wes Schemenaur of any additional cards. “It couldn’t be in the name of the police department.