Bourbon Realizes Savings From Use Of Reserve, Part-Time Officers
Bourbon Realizes Savings From Use Of Reserve, Part-Time Officers
Posted
Carol Anders-
Bourbon Realizes Savings From Use Of Reserve, Part-Time OfficersBOURBON – The Bourbon Town Council convened for 35 minutes Tuesday for a regular monthly meeting.
Board President P.J. Hanley informed council members that he would be out of the country and would be unable to attend. The meeting was conducted by Vice President Larry Wattenbarger.
The council had a reorganization meeting in December to elect officers.
Police Chief Bill Martin presented his year-end report along with a breakdown of the savings enjoyed by utilizing reserves and part-time officers to cover shifts. Martin said, “In 2018, the Bourbon reserves covered 42 shifts. This is a total of 336 hours. This saved the Bourbon Police Department $8,507.52.”
Martin said the reserves and part-time officers, along with full-time offers, provide 24-hour, 7-day-a-week police coverage.
Martin explained that if a reserve officer is not available, they contact a Bourbon part-time officer to cover the shift. Martin said the part-time officers had covered 41 shifts totaling 328 hours. He said it saved the police department $334.97.
Martin went on to explain that they are down to six reserve officers; but he has applications from two others and requested they be brought into the reserves. Additionally, he requested the hiring of an additional part-time officer. The council approved both requests.
According to Martin’s report, there were a total of 9,407 daily log entries in 2018 and 45,602 miles were traveled on patrols and other duties.
In other matters, another meeting has been scheduled with representatives of Shell. One or more council members and possibly the town’s attorney, Tony Wagner, agreed to meet Jan. 17 in hopes of coming to a resolution of the ongoing problems of debris piled on the Shell property. It was noted during the meeting that attempts have been made for three years to come to an agreement.
Local resident David Berry addressed the council concerning the town’s ordinance and enforcement concerning junk cars. Berry said, “I’m getting harassed by the town.” He said his car was towed and he received a fine while violations of other residents were being ignored. He then presented the council with a list of 14 cars that he believes are in violation.
Wagner said the town’s ordinance was put in place in 1971 and he suggested that it might need to be reviewed. He said the practice has been to file with the courts on a ticket and get a court order.
The list that was offered by Berry was given to Martin for further investigation. After the meeting, Martin said owners of junk cars receive a letter from the town advising them to move cars within 10 days and that an additional 30 days extension is possible for a $25 fee.
Clerk-Treasurer Kim Berger said the 2019 budget of $1,497,200 was approved as advertised. The council approved canceling checks that were not cashed for water deposits totaling $634.29. She said the town received $2,779.47 from the county property taxes on properties that had tax liens on.
The council meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.
