Truman votes for county on police services | News, sports, jobs

ABOVE: The Truman City Council voted Monday to contract with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office for police services.

TRUMAN — In a special meeting Monday, the Truman City Council considered the future of its city police department. The council had been discussing the matter for over a year and, after an hour of cordial conversation, decided to move forward with entering into a contract with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office for police services.

When former Police Chief Justin Jobe moved to another position in April 2023, Michael Schutz, who had previously been an officer with the department, began filling the position on an interim basis. However, several problems have emerged since then, including contract negotiations and the inability to find an additional officer for the department.

On Monday, Mayor Jake Ebert said he and Councilman Brian Nickerson met earlier in the day to talk to Schutz and that he and Councilman Chris Mosloski had a conversation with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office last week about the Department to take over police services for Truman. The possibility was also discussed at the council’s last regular meeting on Sept. 16.

A big part of Monday’s meeting was sharing numbers.

Ebert said Schutz called for an increase to $40.32 an hour at the start of the new year and that it is currently at $38.22, but Ebert looked at the national average cost of living increase, which is at $3. 2 percent and said Schutz wants that added in 2026 and 2027.

Ebert said the city would also have to order a new patrol car in 2026 under the replacement plan, so some money, at least $15,000 per year, would have to be set aside in the budget for that.

“A lot of law enforcement agencies have switched to pickups, I think, because of availability.” Ebert said, explaining that they may need to budget for more money.

He said the council currently budgeted a $189,554 police service for 2024.

The council understands Schutz currently works 208 days a year, four 10-hour shifts per week. Taking into account some vacation hours, the city will receive 1,588 hours of service, with 208 hours of service going to Northrop for police services under a contract between the two cities.

The council also discussed the amount of time Schutz spends on call and traveling between his home and the city of Truman, which is permissible.

“These are things we talked to him about today, so he knows we would talk about them.” Ebert said.

He shared that the city is currently receiving $11,000 from the city of Northrop. Taking fines and the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) into account, the city’s cost for police services is $167,554, including funds budgeted for the patrol car and labor hours noted above. Ebert said that equates to $105.51 an hour for Truman.

Next, he shared some numbers he received while speaking with the county. Several salary ranges were shared and Ebert said the total cost for Truman in 2025 would be $181,999.96, assuming they get the highest-paid deputy.

“This is the worst case scenario” Ebert said.

Councilmember Patti Truax asked if that number included overtime, and Ebert said it was actually 80 hours of overtime.

Ebert also noted that the sheriff’s department’s amount includes administrative fees, overhead, equipment, training and legal fees. All told, he said it equates to $87.49 per hour of service.

“Given the sheer numbers, it’s a no-brainer for me here, but it’s a difficult decision for everyone.” Ebert said.

Truax asked about the hours of operation for the Truman Sheriff’s Office. Ebert said they also work 10 hours a day, four days a week.

“Truman will have his own deputy” Ebert said.

He said that when the deputy goes on vacation, someone else from the sheriff’s office will take care of him, so Truman will never be without 2,080 hours of service per year.

The council acknowledged the gravity of the decision and Ebert said: “Citizens on both sides have spoken to me.”

He went on to say that he understands that citizens want their own police department and that he believes Schutz is doing a good job.

Mosloski chimed in and said the three main issues were service hours and what would happen if Schutz retired or was out due to injury.

When talking more about Schutz’s salary, several council members agreed it was not just the salary but also the additional costs that came with the department, but Councilman Ron Kelley also said he didn’t feel that way that Schutz is cooperating with them.

“It’s not that we didn’t try. The process has already taken a year and a half and we thought it would be slow, but it has been anything but smooth. It was a fight every three months,” Mosloski said.

Truax questioned what would happen if other small communities turned to the county for services, and Ebert said Truman would be the first city in the county with a full contract, although Dunnell, Granada and Ceylon have partial contracts.

Kelley added that the county is already filling some gaps and helping the city of Truman.

Mosloski said the only thing that would change would be the color of the uniform, and Truax interjected, saying, “I know that’s what they say.”

She expressed some other doubts and asked how much Deputy Truman would devote himself to if other issues arose in the county. Ebert pointed out that Granada and Fairmont have their own school resource officer and that they would still have to leave school in the event of a major emergency.

In that regard, Mosloski said they mentioned the idea of ​​the deputy visiting Truman Public Schools from time to time while on duty.

He acknowledged that change would be difficult but that people would get used to it over time.

“Once it is dissolved, it will be really difficult to get it back” Truax said of the local department.

Ebert said he understands that many residents are concerned about coverage, but said Truman is actually guaranteed 500 additional hours of service (minus vacation time and duty for Northrop) in the county.

“As a citizen, having your own police force is like a safety net, so to speak, and I’m sure a lot of people feel that way. To me it’s a safety net… having an officer who knows you and knows the people… as a citizen I think so.” Truax said.

Ebert said he understood and there was nothing personal against protection, which other council members agreed with.

“The (district) knows the inner workings of this district better than Mike. Mike may know this small town, but the county knows what comes in and out here. They’re a team and they know what’s going on,” Ebert said.

Mosloski agreed, reiterating that change would be difficult, but the decision would depend on coverage and dollars.

“There are strengths on both sides” Truax said.

“It all comes down to what is best for the majority. We’re always working on that,” Nickerson said.

Ebert said he believes the worst-case scenario is a $14,000 difference for 500 more hours of service.

Mosloski requested to continue a contract with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. Further discussions took place following the request, but ultimately the council approved the request 4-1, with Truax opposed, contingent on the city attorney’s approval of the contract drafted by the district attorney.