The City of Newton will be moving its police dispatch to the Newton County 911 call center effective April 1.
The move passed 3-2 with aldermen Michael Hillie, Romonica Evans and Bob Bridges voting “yea.” Eric McCalphia and Linda Wash voted “nay.”
The city will pay $40,476 per year for three years based on a population total of 3,373. After the three years are up, the city will pay the county $12 per resident based on the city’s future census numbers.
The move could save as much as $27,000 per year in dispatching costs after the police department adds back an administration employee to keep the police station open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
However, the police department will be closed at night and on weekends. Anyone who wants to come to the police station to report a crime will be able to use an emergency phone located outside the police department.
Police Chief Harvey Curry said that they cannot allow the station’s front door to remain open at all times because he is concerned that someone might access their evidence room.
“We have to keep the station locked up if there’s no one there,” Curry said. “We have evidence rooms that have to remain secure. And if no one is there, there’s no way to guarantee that it stays secure, so we have to lock the front door.”
McCalphia said prior to the meeting he was under the understanding that the front door would stay unlocked and people could make the call from the station’s lobby.
“I don’t think the safety of the people of Newton at night is worth $27,000,” McCalphia said. “Chief has told us that people have come there at night seeking refuge at the police station. Now, you can’t do that anymore. All you have is a phone outside the police station.”
Bridges responded saying that he doesn’t support taking the $27,000 saving away from the police station.
“If we are going to save $27,000 by sending dispatch to the county, we need to put that money back into the police department,” Bridges said. “I won’t support taking that money away from you, Chief. That money has been budgeted for the police department, and it’s going to stay with the department. We can use that money to help with purchasing new vehicles, body cameras, whatever would help him do his job.”
In other business:
• The board approved several resolutions regarding the Biewer service road project and the new sewer project. All are in accordance with the stipulations of the grant awards.
• The board will discuss a school board appointment at its next meeting on Feb. 5.
• The board declared a local emergency for flooding that occurred in December. The city will be able to use $35,000 in funds to make the repairs.
• Keith Gray was terminated in the public works department, and Josh Davis was hired in his place.
• Charges of $1,617.94 and $1,076.61 were approved and placed on properties at 200 High St. and 206 Lillian Ave., respectively.
• The board approved a resolution to designate an unmarked vehicle for the police department.
