3/5/13 - Despite some earlier questions about the cost, the County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved two-year renewals for sheriff patrol contracts with local townships. Hartland and Tyrone Townships contract with the county to have a patrol move through both townships 24 hours a day, and Putnam Township has a separate contract providing 40 hours of patrolling per week. Under the deal renewed last night Hartland and Tyrone will both pay about $153,000 for the first year and $160,000 for the second year, while Putnam will pay $73,000 the first year and $76,000 the second. These are roughly the same amounts paid in years past, which only cover the officerâs salary and not any of the vehicle or equipment costs incurred by the patrols. Officials say that this arrangement has the county paying roughly 39% of the cost of the patrols, and the townships were asked this year to increase their contributions. A new deal could not be reached, and in last night the county decided to continue with the previous arrangement. Commissioner Steve Williams tells WHMI the county as a whole benefits from the arrangement as well as the township, and there is no interest in letting it come to an end. As part of its deal, Putnam Township can schedule the 40 patrol hours in its borders to take place when they are most needed. (TD)
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