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Cost of Law enforcement to increase for small towns

Subhead
Increases range from $1,095 in Kenneth to $14,770 for Hills in 2022
By
Mavis Fodness

Rock County’s small cities will see significant increases in law enforcement expenses beginning in 2022, after years of little to no wage and equipment increases.
Increases for wages and equipment range from $1,095 for the city of Kenneth to $14,770 for Hills.
The mayors of Hills, Beaver Creek, Magnolia, Hardwick, Steen and Kenneth met with Rock County Commissioners and the Rock County Sheriff on Aug. 17.
The increase amounts (based on population) were revealed and discussed.
•Hills (pop. 686) increased by $14,770 from $24,256 to $39,026.
•Beaver Creek (pop. 280) increased by $4,841 to $15,929 from $11,088.
•Magnolia (pop. 196) increased $1,970 to $11,150 from $9,180.
•Hardwick (pop. 189) increased $1,618 to $10,752 from $9,134.
•Steen (pop. 171) increased $2,184 to $9,728 from $7,544.
•Kenneth (pop. 60) increased $1,095 to $3,413 from $2,318.
Historically the small cities collectively paid the salary and equipment costs (including a vehicle) for the equivalent of one officer, which is currently estimated at $90,000.
“What the intent was with all the small cities — going back I believe to the early ’90s or late ’80s — was that together they would pay for one officer,” said County Administrator Kyle Oldre.
“There would be enough money together that they would generate one officer in the county.”
However, he said contract increases have not kept up with actual expenses.
In 2021 the small cities paid $63,520 toward one officer. The shortfall was covered in the county budget.
Rock County has 9,704 residents according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Of that number, 4,946 live in Luverne and 1,582 in the county’s small cities.
The annual budget for the Rock County Sheriff’s Office is just over $2 million and includes 12 peace officers.
According to Sheriff Evan Verbrugge, the majority of the calls to law enforcement come from the city of Luverne (about 62 percent).
Because of the call volume, Luverne negotiates a separate contract that is not based on population but on the level of services.
For 2022 Luverne’s contract is $1.03 million.
Calls to the small cities make up about one percent of the call volume to law enforcement.
Verbrugge said animal complaints, domestic issues and mental health calls make up the majority of the visits to the small cities.
“It all depends on who is in your community for calls and service,” he said.
Larger communities such as Sioux Falls and Fargo, North Dakota, are also a factor within smaller cities.
“Criminals are mobile,” Verbrugge said. “We are getting a lot of activity up north and coming on down.”
Steen Mayor Mel VanBatavia inquired if there are areas in which local residents can help law enforcement.
“We don’t want to de-fund (police), we want to fund,” he said.
Each city will discuss the individual law enforcement contracts at upcoming council meetings.
The five-year contract proposes annual increases of 2 to 3 percent through 2026.
“With the (previous) zero and 1 percent increases, a lot of stuff has fallen behind,” said Hardwick Mayor Willy Baker. “We need to step up and pay our fair share.”

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