Village contracts with sheriff for patrols
Deal, COVID funds add more police presence in northwest Isabella County
Federal COVID relief funding will be used to provide police patrols in Lake Isabella, adding dedicated coverage for the first time in several years.
Both the village council and the county commission have approved the deal using one-time American Rescue Plan Act funding, Village Manager Tim Wolff said.
Sheriff’s deputies will volunteer for up to 16 total hours of overtime shifts in the village per week, with the village funding the payroll costs plus $40 per shift to cover overhead such as equipment, fuel, training and supplies.
Coverage begins in the new year.
“The agreement between the village and sheriff is intended to serve as a pilot program for the community to gauge the impact of dedicated coverage for the community,” Wolff said.
Since the retirement of the Sherman Township Marshal in 2016, the village has been without a dedicated coverage agreement with a law enforcement agency.
The new agreement — which will bring up to 16 hours per week of coverage to the community —
is similar to the prior marshall’s service level.
Taxing limits in the village require that any permanent law enforcement plan would require voterapproved funding.
Because law enforcement is frequently asked for, the one-time funding deal will allow officials and residents to test the option, Wolff said.
“As the village examines what services are desired and needed in our growing community, public safety coverage is one of the most frequently requested priorities,” he said.
”With a property tax cap written into the village charter, adding dedicated public safety coverage for any significant duration will require additional funding from the community.”
The village and sheriff’s department have enjoyed years of partnership, Wolff said.
The village had contracted with the department for dedicated road patrols for one month several years ago. In recent years, the two organizations have annually approved a contract for dedicated lake patrol
services.
“Partnering with the sheriff’s department provides several benefits to the village,” Wolff said. “With the size of their staff, there is considerable flexibility in terms of personnel, coverage times, and an existing administrative structure that limits the village’s liability exposure.”
The issue of providing dedicated public safety coverage was reviewed indepth earlier this year by the village council.
A report looked at several options for adding law enforcement services to the community. The report also analyzed calls for service, projected costs, funding options, and other factors for the council to consider on the topic.
“Using one-time funds from outside of the Village’s ordinary revenues allows the village to provide the community with the chance to examine the impact of additional coverage for a set period of time without a long-term funding obligation,” Wolff said.
”Depending on the impact and response from the community, the village may look to place a longterm funding option on the ballot for the community to consider at a future election.”