The City of New Franklin is expected to enter into an agreement to pay the Howard County Sheriff’s Department for dedicated law enforcement coverage. The move would allow the city to eliminate its current police department while still having law enforcement in town.

The city council held a discussion with newly sworn-in Sheriff Jeff Oswald at its meeting on January 11. Now it appears the two parties may be closing in on a contract.

While nothing has been finalized, council members discussed proposed details during their regular meeting on Monday, April 12. A dedicated Sheriff’s deputy would patrol the city for a minimum of 40 hours per week, and an officer would respond to calls made outside of those hours. In return, the city would pay the Sheriff’s Department $4,500 per month.

The Sheriff is currently reviewing the contract, which must gain final approval by the Howard County Commission. The council will likely hold a special meeting sometime in April to approve any such contract. The city hopes to have the service in place by May 1.

“I’m optimistic that by the next meeting we should have some contract in place,” said New Franklin Mayor Arbogast. 

A contract with the HCSD  would allow the city to disband its city police department and eliminate associated costs such as liability insurance. The city’s budget for the police department is $95,140.80 for the 2021 fiscal year. The city would also be able to sell off its police vehicles. Currently, New Franklin has no full-time police presence since recently cutting ties with former Chief of Police Mike Wise. The city still has a part-time officer who helps provide coverage.

Such a move is not unheard of for small, rural communities. The city of Vandalia, Missouri is now served by the Audrain County Sheriff’s Department. The change went into effect on January 1. For some time Howard County deputies have helped cover New Franklin.

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In other business, the city council accepted the highest of two bids on the Ford Taurus it had put up for sale. Anthony Shiflett gave the high bid of $4,150.

Aldermen also granted permission for two events to take place downtown. The first will a Market Day event held by the Growth Council from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 24, with a rain date of May 1. The council also gave unanimous approval to host the annual Santa Fe Trail Days downtown on September 17-19. The popular event draws hundreds of people from around the area. Ward 1 Alderman Tyler Eaton, who is a Santa Fe Trail Days committee member, abstained from the vote.

The council also approved two zoning changes. Jason Jennings, owner of Jennings Premium Meats downtown, asked the council to change the zoning of a house next door to the business. Jennings owns the house and wants to demolish it to expand the business. Aldermen also approved a zoning variance to Kevin Beaman so his aging parents may expand the first floor of their home.

Aldermen aired various grievances with Socket, the internet service provider that recently installed fiberoptic cable in New Franklin. The complaints were related to insufficient cleanup from the work performed. Mayor Arbogast said he would contact the company.

The council also agreed to hire at least one part-time employee during the summer months to help with city services. The job will pay $12 per hour. The position will be open when it is determined whether the city’s insurance will allow it.

The next regular meeting of the New Franklin City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, May 10 at City Hall. Meetings are open and the public is invited.