Bethesda talking police costs

Bethesda Mayor Samantha Burkhead, reported Police Chief Pete Busack, who also serves as the sole officer, has been active in school bus coverage and night patrols. Information, such as miles patrolled, will also be made available to the public.

Finance Director Rick Burkhead, married to Samantha Burkhead, asked for council for the transfer of $5,000 to the police fund to cover wages until February.

“We’re out of money. We’re not going to have money for March,” he said. “It’ll probably be another $4,000 or $5,000 we’ll need to transfer later.”

In addition, he asked for a transfer of money from the general fund to the police department to clear a debt.

“Over the course of the last two years … the police department’s actually in debt to the general fund $33,500,” he said, adding that since October of 2018 through the end of 2019, this amount was advanced to the police department.

“I see no point in any future that we’ll ever be able to repay $33,500. … That’s an entire year of the levy.”

The village had been embroiled in rebuilding the police department during the past years. The previous police chief, Eric Smith, resigned Oct. 19, 2018 after being on paid suspension since that April.

Busack also reported that the price of installing two computers into the two police vehicles was more than anticipated, with mounts to hold the computers at more than $700, as well as other costs associated with mounts for printers, and power suppliers. He said the cost could be $3,000 to $3,500 per car. Busack is currently seeking quotes.

“The mounts are what cost the money,” he said. “You’ve got to look at officer safety. You can’t just throw it all in there. … The mounts are built to hold everything in place in case of an accident. They’re all vehicle-specific. We have the computers and the printers, which is the largest cost of everything. We have it, we just have to put it in.”

Village Administrator Dirk Davis said the village might have some old, usable mounts.

Councilman Jay Van Horn said one of the police vehicles already dates from 2012, and questioned the wisdom in installing new equipment in an aging vehicle.

“An eight-year-old car, and we’re going to spend $2,000 to put mounts and computers … in?” he said.

Van Horn also suggested a return to hand-written tickets.

“That’s going backwards,” Busack said. In answer to a question from Councilwoman Ruth Saffell, he said he writes about five tickets weekly.

“Everything is done electronically, and that is the way of the future,” Busack said. “We’re doing everything the (Ohio State) Highway Patrol is doing.”

He also pointed out the cost of ticket books. Other council members noted the time saved from filling out reports in the office, giving Busack more time on patrol.

“I hate to go back to old-school, (but) we’re bleeding money right now on the police department,” Van Horn said.

The police and finance committee will also look at options and Davis will look into equipment grants. A guest also suggested surplus highway patrol equipment.

Recognizing the tight finances, Samantha Burkhead said Busack will submit all requests to expend money to the finance committee for approval.

Talk also turned to re-negotiating the police service contracts with Morristown and Goshen Township. Currently, Morristown pays Bethesda $15 per hour for the office and $15 for the police car, from which the officer is paid $10. Bethesda wishes an increase to $20 and $20, from which the officer would be paid $15 per hour. Bethesda patrols Morristown about 20 hours per month.

Rick Burkhead said Goshen Township is patrolled without compensation to the village.

“Ultimately, we as taxpayers of Bethesda, are paying (police) to go patrol for free in Goshen Township. Why does that make sense for Bethesda residents?” he said.

“The funds are tight as they are, and the Village of Bethesda is funding the police department and we’re sending him out of Bethesda … and we don’t get anything for it,” Samantha Burkhead said. “We need to focus on Bethesda.”

In prior meetings, Davis had suggested another police levy might be necessary.

The full council was present.