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Show Panguitch Closer lb Police Force Consolidation PANGUITCH At its Oct. 13 meeting, the Panguitch City Council moved closer to consolidating con-solidating its police force with the county sheriffs department. Present were Mayor Jon. Torgcr son, City Manager Allen K. Hen-rie, Hen-rie, City Treasurer Shirley Chid-ester, Chid-ester, and Council Members Mack Oetting, Janet Oldham, Dennis Orton, Jolene Smith, and Craig Twitchell. The minutes of the meeting show the following: Law Enforcement Possible Contract With County Allen reported a recent meeting with county commissioners, commis-sioners, Sheriff Than Cooper and County Clerk Camille Moore to see if a police contract with the county could be considered. Some of the concerns the city has are loss of control and the cost and quality of coverage. Allen had also contacted POST regarding re-garding training of a new officer. He said he was informed that the only cost to the city to send an officer would be to pay hisher wages and mileage. Sheriff Cooper, Deputy Danny Perkins and Officer Kevin Moore were in attendance to answer questions from council members. Sheriff Cooper suggested it might be better to have the city make the selection of a new person before consolidation. He also expressed his support of the consolidation concept and felt problems could be worked out in the next two years or the city could withdraw from the consolidation. con-solidation. The proposal would have to be presented to and approved by the county commissioners. com-missioners. A tentative first year cost to the city was set at $100,000. The city's present budget was $101,000 which includes money set aside (approximately $7,000) to hire two highway patrolmen on a part time basis. Panguitch Police Officer Kevin Moore expressed his support sup-port of the consolidation proposal. Sheriffs Deputy Danny Perkins stated that he was not in favor of the consolidation, but that he would support it if it is the way the county goes. The council unanimously ' agreed to pursue the consolidation and to meet Oct. 26 with the county commissioners to work out the details. Sheriff Cooper was to contact POST about enrolling a candidate as soon as possible. In a second motion, the council agreed to open the police position for in-house hiring with the mayor and council conducting interviews. Only Oettinc opposed |