Paul Rignell
Columbus Reporter
While Columbus continues to study other future options for police patrol, the council members voted 4-1 Aug. 27 to approve a one-year extension for the city’s agreement with the Anoka County Sheriff’s Department.
The county will receive $299,283 in the service year 2015 for its coverage of Columbus, including $225,003 for personnel and $46,827 for vehicle capital and maintenance costs.
The balance of $27,453 will cover administrative costs, including an increased share in support of the county’s public safety data system.
Columbus again will have the partial benefit of Minnesota state aid next year in the amount of $12,390, and thus the city must budget for the remainder of $286,893.
Two years ago, the council approved a two-year contract with the county that has had the city paying about $271,300 for patrol and police response in 2014. City Administrator Elizabeth Mursko reported that much of the increase for 2015 comes from new union contracts in the county.
Councilmember Bill Krebs voted against the raise for next year, just as he voted against an increase in 2012 when the city and county’s annual contract had been around $220,000.
The significant hike in costs came after Columbus agreed to Anoka County’s offer for an increase in daily dedicated coverage that began in July 2013. From 2007 through that preceding June, Anoka County deputies had spent a minimum eight hours per day patrolling the city. Starting that July, they began giving 10 hours of daily dedicated coverage.
The on-duty deputies responded to other calls through day and night in Columbus while also serving contracted communities of Linwood, Ham Lake, Bethel, East Bethel, Andover, Oak Grove and Nowthen.
Columbus Mayor Dave Povolny, who voted with Krebs two years ago to oppose the increase in a two-year contract, said Aug. 27 that he believes the 2015 agreement “is a good stopgap” while the city looks at other solutions for later years.
Krebs replied that he is “never comfortable” with higher prices.
Staff changes
Council discussed and approved some in-house staff changes that followed some retirements.
Emmy Robinson retired from her post as deputy clerk effective Aug. 29 after working nine years in the city.
Lorie Lemieux, who had the title of office specialist with the city, agreed to take over the role of deputy clerk that will add elections management and other minor duties to her workload, according to Mursko.
The city was likely to advertise for a new position of information technology specialist starting this week, Mursko said. When that spot is filled, the move would bring city offices back to the same number of payroll hours as prior to Robinson’s retirement. The city is also seeking a new recording secretary for council meetings to succeed Robinson.
In the public works department, city utilities worker Jim Windingstad was promoted to public works superintendent effective Sept. 1 in conjunction with a phased retirement for Jim Fraley from the lead position.