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NEWTON FALLS - Village council on Tuesday approved a new one-year agreement with the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office to provide police protection for the village.
Council voted 4-0 as an emergency ordinance to extend the contract, which was to expire at the end of the month, at the same cost of approximately $400,000.
In the meantime, a new police committee made up of two members of council and three residents is being formed to evaluate options and costs related to police services.
Fourth Ward Councilman Kevin Rufener said the committee can look at options such as a part-time police department, a full-time police department or a blended or joint police district.
Rufener said the committee will look for other options while having protection provided by the sheriff's department.
Second Ward Councilman John Baryak, serving as acting mayor at his last meeting, said the village needs the police protection until something else can be worked out.
He said an income tax issue was defeated on the November general election ballot that would have raised funds for adding an officer and more hours of protection.
Baryak said the idea of a joint police district, similar to the joint fire district, has been considered.
First Ward Councilwoman Patricia Benetis said she would like to see the village police department brought back, but understands the timing issue with the start of a new year.
According to a proposed ordinance, $399,636 will be for 160 hours per week of protection in 2024.
Law Director Brad Bryan said a clause in contract states that council or the sheriff's office can give a 60-day notice to end the agreement.
Resident Condie Bright said that no money should be spent on items that are not necessary until the police department is brought back.
NEW COUNCIL MEMBER
In other business, council selected Brenda Persino as the representative for the 3rd Ward council seat after Tesa Spletzer was recalled by the voters in the November election.
Councilwoman-at-Large Julie Stimpert said Persino was selected from four applicants.
Others interviewed were Tammy Gillespie Blandine, Bruce Moore and Rick Zamecnik.
Stimpert said Persino was chosen because she is active in the community by scheduling cleanups and other events, attends many council meetings and asks questions and makes comments on issues that affect not only the 3rd Ward, but the entire village.
"She is the heart of our town," Stimpert said.
Stimpert said all the candidates had good ideas and are to be appreciated for stepping up to be considered.
Persino will begin serving Jan. 3 at council's organizational / regular meeting.
CONTRACTS EXPIRING
In other business, council gave first reading to extending a contract for Bryan as law director. His contract expires Dec. 31.
Council also did not approve an agreement with Pan American Insurance Group for employee health care benefits. That contract also expires Dec. 31.
Both ordinances were scheduled for emergency passage. Rufener said he does not want to see employee health insurance lapse, but felt the proposed agreement "was being shoved down" at the last meeting of council.
He said council has questions it wants answered before approving the agreement.
Village Manager Pam Priddy did not attend the meeting.
Benetis said she has questions about Bryan's new contract and wants them answered before she can approve an emergency passage.
Bryan said a special meeting likely will be needed before the end of the year to decide on employee insurance.