The Lee County Sheriff’s Office will continue providing certain law enforcement services to one community for a limited amount of time.
An agreement that authorizes Sheriff Jim Sholl to supervise West Point’s reserve officers is set to expire June 30, 2013.
The Lee County Board of Supervisors has agreed to extend the agreement until August 31, 2013.
The agreement was put in place several years ago because West Point did not have a police chief. Reserve officers cannot work without some sort of supervisor in place.
Sholl says West Point is close to hiring a police chief.
He says the city cannot offer the candidate a contract until after August 1 because of state requirements.
Sholl says the extension will ensure there is not a gap in coverage during the hiring process, especially with RAGBRAI, the July 4th Fireworks and the Sweet Corn Festival coming up.
He says his deputies work these events, but he says reserve officers play key roles.
Lee County has been working to get out of similar agreements with other communities in need of a police chief.
For example, Montrose’s agreement with the county expired in March. The city is close to hiring a police chief.
The West Point City Council could vote on the extension during its next meeting.
The city pays about $2,500/month as part of the current agreement.
