By Sara Quam and Lexi MooreThe face-off between the city of Luverne and Rock County over law enforcement costs came to an end last week.Both elected bodies agreed on a contract outline that will be finalized Feb. 15.Along with county commissioners and city council members, Sheriff Mike Winkels signed the resolution.County Commissioner Jane Wildung made the motion which was seconded by Richard Bakken.The joint resolution to continue contract law enforcement services amends the current contract to allow the city to pay $604,000, instead of $669,000.Bakken said he felt the county compromised, but he thought this agreement would be best for his constituents."Even though we had to make concessions with this agreement, it is still a better way to go for the communities and it will cost us less."County Commissioner Ron Boyenga voted against the contract, mostly, he said, because the county’s continued partnership in the Pool and Fitness Center was a condition."Without that, I might be able to support it," he said. "I hope that for [County Attorney Don Klosterbuer and County Administrator Kyle Oldre’s] sakes, it works out because they’ve had quite a year."Bakken said he was happy to sign on for a commitment to the Pool and Fitness Center. "I didn’t want to see us get out of the pool. Overtime, especially as preventive health care picks up; I think it will be a good idea to be involved."Boyenga had concerns that other cities that contract for law enforcement with the county will have problems.Boyenga said, "They’re going to say Luverne got a deal."Bakken assures smaller communities like Hills and Beaver Creek that the county plans to meet with all small cities as soon as the contract is signed to discuss what the county agreed to and why.Most smaller cities, including Hills, Beaver Creek and Steen, are in their second year of a three-year contract agreement. The county hopes it will be able to offer the smaller cities an extension on their current contracts with no additional cost increase.Bakken said he feels smaller communities receive several benefits through joint law."We get better coverage and it costs much less than if we were separate."Currently the town of Hills receives two patrols every eight hours. This would dramatically decrease if Hills were not involved with joint law.In addition, Bakken spoke about the benefits of the deputies knowing the towns well."They know whose lights should be on and when."The contract to be signed on or before Feb. 15 is new and includes the following provisions:oUpon execution of this law enforcement extension, Rock County will continue its joint powers agreement for the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center.oThe county agrees to provide not less than 24-hour patrol and investigative coverage to the city of Luverne from Jan. 1, 2006, through Dec. 31, 2010.oThe city’s annual contract price for law enforcement will increase over the prior year’s contract at the same rate as the county’s budgeted increase for law enforcement. The county cannot contract for an increase of more than 5 percent without the city’s agreement.oPayments will be quarterly instead of the annual payment method used now.oIf the city’s Local Government Aid (from the state of Minnesota) decreases by more than 15 percent, the city can negotiate a new contract price and change services it wants provided.Kaczrowski said in a recent meeting, "We want to be able to negotiate to cut back on our service contract."oThe city and county liaison committee, made up of two commissioners and two councilmen, will work with the sheriff to develop a system for providing information and reports of law enforcement activities.