City discusses police chief's employment

City discusses police chief's employment 

Janell Bradley
Contributing Writer

Fayette City Council held a special meeting Thursday, March 7, to discuss the employment of its chief of police. Shortly after convening, the council went into a closed session on the advice of attorney Jeff Clements.

Nearly an hour later, the council reconvened in open session, but took no action on the status of Police Chief Dusty Dunn, nor did the council make any remarks from its closed session. Dun, who has been employed by the city for approximately eight years, continues his employment in an administrative capacity.

Also on the agenda was discussion of whether or not to maintain a city police department. The council reviewed articles from area newspapers related to a discussion regarding the future of a police department in Independence and information on contracts other Iowa cities have.

A proposal for a 28E agreement for law enforcement coverage by the Fayette County Sheriff's Office was provided to the council in a handout Thursday night. In a proposal requested by a member of the council and dated Jan. 21, Sheriff Marty Fisher said an agreement in which the county provides law enforcement could cost $95,000. County law officials would provide 24-hour, 7-days-per-week coverage. City Administrator Christie Dennis estimated the per-capita cost at $71.

A 28E agreement  for a non-24/7 police department would also be offered at a cost of $31,000 annually.

To continue with the 28E agreement for radio service that is presently in effect, the annual cost would continue at $4,200. However, that cost increases to $6,000 in 2013-14.

Council members failed to introduce the item for discussion, noting instead that it would be placed on the regular meeting agenda of March 18.

At present, there are no 28E agreements in place in any of Fayette County's cities for sole law enforcement coverage by the sheriff's office. Iowa law requires that cities must provide law enforcement protection for their citizens either through their own agencies or by contracting with another agency.