City approves law enforcement contract
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The Mount Ayr city council approved the contract for law enforcement service at a relatively short meeting Monday, June 21.
The annual contract states the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) will provide law enforcement, administration, communication, education, training, equipment, insurance, supplies, supervision, and operational expenses for the city at a cost of $180,000 for the first year.
The contract goes into effect July 1.
The contract builds in an annual 4 percent increase in cost each year the contract is renewed.
The contract renews automatically if neither the RCSO nor the city provides a written notice of termination by December 31 of each year.
Contract language includes a provision for the city to levy for benefit expenses such as FICA and IPERS.
The new contract presents a substantial change in the way the city provides for law enforcement.
In the past, the city and RCSO would negotiate the pay, support, and expenses for the hiring of two deputies. In addition, the city would purchase a new patrol vehicle every three years and, in return, would receive a similar vehicle that had been taken out of service.
The new contract leaves all staffing and support responsibilities to the RCSO in exchange for the yearly fee.
Other business
In other business the council:
• discussed the need for field work on the ball diamonds at Judge Lewis Park.
• learned the city’s application for a CDBG grant to fund sanitary sewer improvement has been denied. The council briefly discussed options to move forward with a scaled down list of improvements for which the city has already set aside some funding in the FY22 budget.
• briefly discussed an offer to take ownership of a four-acre partial of land at no charge to the city. The council made no decision pending investigation of any outstanding liens, unpaid taxes, and expenses to remove a vacant house on the property.
• learned from city administrator Brent Wise that due to a resident complaint of excessive dust on 240th Street, most cement trucks will routed to Cleveland Street to access the cement plant south of town.
• approved a FY22 seasonal pay increase of 25 cents per hour for part-time employee Lynn Rinehart.
• approved a liquor license renewal for Casey’s and an outdoor service permit for Still Smokin’ BBQ for Ayr Days and Raider Days.
