Law enforcement contract negotiations continue

By Mike Mallow
Editor, Grant County Herald

Continuing its work on finalizing law enforcement agreements between the county and cities, the Grant County Board of Commissioners met in regular session Sept. 1. More than half the meeting was devoted to solving the issue.

Another counteroffer was presented by the City of Elbow Lake to the commissioners from Elbow Lake. Mayor Deb Hengel and City Clerk Becky Wing were present to advocate for the proposal.

“I think there’s common ground,” Wing told the board. “Everybody’s biggest concern is… being the best fiduciaries of the funds that are entrusted to the elected officials.”

The new counteroffer from Elbow Lake would be for $110,476.90, which included assistance for vicious dogs, snow removal violations, emergency dispatch services and other code violations that required law enforcement.

The offer rejected last month asked for half of the $171,000 initially offered by the county.

The board voted not to accept Elbow Lake’s new counteroffer. The motion was made by Commissioner Ken Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Troy Johnson, and passed 4-0 with Commissioner Bill LaValley abstaining.

“We got to work together to do this kind of stuff,” LaValley said, adding that he was conflicted on how to vote, before ultimately abstaining. “If we sit and grumble about the wages and things like that, it isn’t good for morale for employees on all fronts of public service. We worked hard to be able to provide the service to the residents of Grant County, and we need to work together to make sure that it is sustained for years to come.”

Following the first vote, the board discussed whether to change their rule that they won’t accept any contract if the five remaining cities pull out of the agreement.

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