Polson council debates grant

POLSON — No one can predict what the next year will bring, let alone the next four and that is what concerned the Polson City Council last Wednesday at their bimonthly meeting.

During the gathering that was pushed back due to the Fourth of July holiday, the council was asked to consider the police department’s continuance in the application process for a Department of Justice grant to hire a police officer.

With this grant, the Federal Government looks toward departments that have lost officers or will lose officers due to budget cuts.  The department applied a year ago and was denied. Since then, the department was contacted to reapply, not guaranteeing that they would get it the second time around.

“Our budget has increased, however, the government works in mysterious ways and they are allowing us to reapply,” Asst. Chief John Stevens said.

The grant covers entry-level salary and fringe benefits for three years and the city would pick up the tab for the fourth year. Kalispell and Ronan have each received one grant and Missoula has received several. Stevens said the grant will supply about $155,000 for three years and the fourth year will cost the city about $50,000, depending on raises and health insurance. Chief Doug Chase said fringe benefits are about $2,600.

Councilperson Mike Lies asked what would happen if the city can’t pay for the fourth year at that time.

“Than we get black balled by the government and grant from then on out would be slim to none,” Stevens said.

The Polson department will know around Sept. 30 but wanted to get on the same page as the city council.

“In four years, will we need an additional officer?” Stevens asked. “We want you to think about it between now and September so we can have an idea of what we want to do.”

If an officer leaves or retires, the grant-supported police officer can’t fill the void. The cost of the officer to the city would be for a vest, which is around $40, and training the officer through the academy. Those expenses would come out of the police department’s budget.

No cost would be needed for a firearm and a patrol car would also be needed for the officer.

The solution to the car would be sharing and looking for grants to foot the bill.

The council voted to allow the department to continue and Mayor Pat DeVries said the council “should get through the budget this year to have a better idea.”

In other news, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer presented an award to Polson in honor of the city’s 2010 Centennial, which was presented to DeVries.

The council also presented information on the building for sale next to city hall. It was reported that the building has no elevators, but does have multiple roof and ceiling layers.

Without the use of an elevator, the city has no use for the top floor. The use of the building is still up in the air and it was suggested that the top floor of the building be put up as rental space.

“The city and the business of rentals?” DeVries said. “Oh my.”

The cost to convert and update the building might be more than it is worth.

“The best thing is to nail that door shut and forget about it,” Lies suggested.

“The best might be to tear it down,” councilperson Judy Preston said.