by Sara Hacking,
Staff Writer
The Sebeka City Council's decision to end discussions about contracting with the Wadena County Sheriff's department didn't end the discussion at the county level.
Commissioners reviewed the cost breakdown compiled by Sheriff Mike Carr Jr. in case the subject comes up in the future.
The numbers Carr submitted for the first-year cost of 40 hours per week of service totaled $157,770.58.
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Initial start-up equipment would cost $58,088 and include a squad car, radio, repairs, gas, Mobile Vision camera system and other items.
Squad cars are typically replaced every four years, he said. Most updates are over an eight-year period.
Personnel costs would total $99,682, he said. Most of the cost would be a yearly responsibility.
The sheriff's department would have to hire an additional deputy at a cost of $49,600 per year for wages plus additional costs for benefits and training, Carr said. He calculated the cost based on Senior Deputy Gary Stelzer's salary.
Carr said Administrative Assistant Jean Birch has too much work already to take on additional responsibility. A support staff specialist for Sebeka would cost $22,173 per year for wages plus additional costs for benefits, he said.
He put everything that would be needed to cover the city of Sebeka in the estimate, he said. The sheriff's department would take on more responsibility by taking on a city.
"I don't think that it's the responsibility of people outside of Sebeka to pay for their cost," Carr said.
Chairman Bill Stearns suggested the county could consider breaking down the equipment, deputy and support staff numbers to figure out a per hour cost for the services. That information could be used in further discussions, he said. Other counties use a per hour charge.
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Commissioner Mary Harrison said she has heard from Sebeka constituents who are interested in working with the county and from others who prefer to have their own police department.
Commissioner Dave Schermerhorn commented that the numbers would be kept on file for future reference.
"It is a starting point," he said. "For now, the issue has been tabled."
