Sheriff could save Paris some money

PARIS —  The Town of Paris could save between $11,000 and $90,000 annually by contracting with the Oxford County Sheriff's Office for police service, according to a comparison between the proposed Paris police department budget and a draft service contract from the Sheriff.

Those savings, however, would not be realized until the second year of the contract – the first year's service could be around $53,500 more than next year's police budget.

The town office received the draft contract from the Sheriff's Office February 12 following a meeting between Town Manager Amy Bernard, Selectmen Robert Wessels and Bob Kirchherr, Sheriff Wayne Gallant and County Administrator Scott Cole, Bernard reported during the February 12 selectboard meeting.

According to the draft contract, the Sheriff would offer Paris the equivalent of four full-time deputies, one detective and one school resource officer.

The total cost for the first three years would be $638,480 for year one and $495,328 annually for years two and three.

Reached Wednesday, Bernard said the Paris PD budget for the upcoming year was around $585,000, up from $505,934 last year.

In January, Bernard reported Paris PD had been underfunded by up to 20 percent last year. Depending on the town's budget situation, cuts could be made again this year. 

The sheriff option could become more expensive in the future, however.

Gallant said Wednesday, the county could increase the cost by 2 percent per fiscal year for two years after the intitial three year period, if the county commisioners thought it was necessary and the town agreed.

If the town went with the proposal, Paris officers would be given the option to apply to the Sheriff's Office but would need to meet the force's qualifications, Gallant said. Paris officers would be given preference for applying.

Gallant said the Sheriff's Office probably would not be authorized to enforce Paris ordinances.

The draft contract is less expensive than a similar proposal submitted to Paris last year mainly because it does not include extra costs like a secretary and buildings, Gallant said.

In the absence of termination, the contract would be automatically renewed annually, subject to the Sheriff's budget proposal and approval by the town.

All deputies would remain in Paris during regular patrol shifts unless called on to assist other agencies under mutual agreement.

An undetermined number of Paris' weapons and vehicles would be transferred to the Sheriff's Office, but the same or comparable equipment would be conveyed back if Paris decided to reestablish a police department in the future.

All operations would be conducted from the Sheriff's Office and deputies would remain county employees.

The town or county could terminate the contract with or without cause with 60 days written notice.

During the February 12 selectboard meeting, Bernard said the draft contract would be included on the February 25 meeting agenda for the selectmen's consideration.

According to its terms, the town's legislative body, its voters, would need to adopt the contract.