Council, mayor spar over study

Another meeting resulted in another clash between city council and the mayor.

Portland City Council and Mayor Jeff Westlake were at odds again Tuesday about a study on merging city police dispatch with Jay County Sheriff’s Office.

The council also tabled a proposed livestock ordinance that had been approved on first reading on Jan. 5.

The police dispatch issue came up again, with council member Ron May saying Westlake is “dead set” against it.

The council has discussed the issue multiple times since September, saying such a change would make sense to be handled in conjunction with a countywide project to upgrade radio equipment for emergency responders. The city currently handles dispatching for its police while the county dispatch handles its deputies, 911 calls and all of the county’s fire departments. 

Barry Ritter of Ritter Strategic Services, a public safety consulting firm, told council members at their Dec. 1 meeting that a staffing study would be necessary to determine staffing levels if dispatching services were consolidated. At that meeting, the council voted unanimously to move forward with a process to explore consolidating emergency dispatch.

May was critical of the mayor’s stance, saying a study on the issue has not yet been completed.

“I think looking out for the city, I think we need to entertain some things that we don’t want to entertain, and that’s one of them,” said May. He reiterated previous council comments about consolidation improving public safety while also saving money.

As he has previously, Westlake said his concern is protecting the jobs of employees who might be affected by a consolidation, either by jobs being cut or pay and benefits being reduced.

Council member Ashley Hilfiker suggested that the mayor and Police Chief Dustin Mock could negotiate pay and benefits in a potential agreement with the county if a consolidation were to move forward. She again accused the mayor of digging in his heels and not having an open mind.

She asked that the city move forward with a study on consolidation.

Council president Kent McClung asked for clarification, saying he was under the impression that the previous vote would move the study forward. Westlake responded that Ritter Strategic Services, which presented information to the council before its vote, has not yet been hired. He has repeatedly said he wants the city’s board of works to be involved in the process.

The board of works discussed the issue at its Jan. 8 meeting, with member Steve McIntosh saying he feels consolidation is worth exploring because it could streamline operations. He suggested scheduling a special meeting to receive more information from Ritter.

A special meeting was scheduled for Jan. 14, but was canceled because the council chambers were not available at the designated time. (By state statute, changing the meeting time would have required 48 hours’ notice to the public.) Ritter is now scheduled to attend the regular board of works meeting Thursday, Feb. 5.

McClung pushed the mayor regarding his stance on the issue, with Westlake saying he is opposed to the study.

“What has been expressed this evening is that while the city council wants the study for central dispatch to see if it’s feasible or not … that it was never your intention to do that,” said McClung.

Pushed by May later in the evening, Westlake also said he would not cooperate with a study if the council moved forward with a contract with Ritter.

During a discussion of how council could move forward, city attorney Wes Schemenaur suggested that the city council engage independent legal counsel. He said such questions put him in a difficult position as the city attorney, since the mayor and council are at odds.

The council briefly discussed hiring their own attorney, but ultimately followed a suggestion from member Dave Golden to wait and see what the board of works decides.

“I would like to give the mayor and the board of works a chance to follow the proper procedure here and see what happens,” he said.

Also Tuesday, the council heard from Portland resident Amanda Conn regarding a proposed ordinance regulating livestock within the city. As passed on first reading at the council’s previous meeting, the ordinance would have banned most farm animals, including roosters. For chickens, it set limits of five per residential lot and set requirements for coops and run space, visual barriers and setbacks. 

Conn said she agrees that roosters should not be within city limits but asked council members to consider allowing other animals. She said she has chickens, ducks and small dairy goats at her property for her children who are in 4-H and said neighbors have not expressed any problems. She presented a petition signed by neighbors and other city residents.

She asked the council members to take 4-H members into consideration, requesting the limit on chickens be raised to 10. She also asked that two goats be allowed per child. She added that she is willing to put up a privacy fence.

Westlake said he had visited Conn’s home and that the property is well-kept. He asked about how manure is handled, with Conn responding that it is turned over in flower beds on her property and taken to other family members’ properties.

Council members Michele Brewster and Matt Goldsworthy read letters they had received from residents in support of allowing chickens and ducks.

May indicated that his main concern was roosters, as mentioned in an original complaint by Portland resident Aaron Kuhn late last year.

Hilfiker expressed concern about there being enough space for farm animals while saying she is fine with meeting somewhere in the middle. She reminded council members that they are unlikely to make everyone happy.

Council members voted to table the issue, with plans to discuss possible revisions. Schemenaur urged them to make sure whatever rules they settle on are well-defined.

In other business:

•Council members discussed whether an ordinance is needed to regulate electric bikes. May, who previously raised the issue, and McClung noted that in some cases the bikes can go as fast as a moped. Goldsworthy confirmed with Mock that electric bikes have to follow the rules of the road, including stopping at stop signs. The council took no action on the issue.

•Hilfiker asked if police had seen an uptick in solicitors filing with the city, saying she had seen several in her neighborhood and that they were sometimes there outside of designated hours. (The council passed an ordinance in 2025 that requires a $25 fee for a two-week permit, with soliciting hours limited from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Police Chief Dustin Mock said some have been in but that there has not been a significant increase. Westlake suggested that residents call police if there are problems.

•McClung acknowledged Monday’s celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He referenced King’s legacy. “I would like us all to remember the message of peace and non-violent demonstration,” he said. “This is a great country and it is meant for all of us.”

•Council member Mike Aker asked about enforcement of the city’s ordinance regarding parked vehicles. Westlake said the city’s code enforcement officer has been addressing the issue.

•Brewster and Golden congratulated Indiana University on its win over Miami in Monday night’s College Football Playoff national championship game.

•Goldsworthy asked about holiday trash pick-up schedules, with Phillips noting that the schedule is posted on the city’s website.

•Phillips reminded residents to leave water dripping during times of extreme cold to avoid freezing pipes.

•May suggested that the city consider providing trash pick-up service for businesses. Currently, trash pick-up is residential only.