City draws criticism at hearing

A public hearing on the city budget last Tuesday drew sharp criticism from one citizen about the contract between the City of Clarendon and the Donley County Sheriff’s Department.

The citizen, who signed in only as “Paul,” opened his questioning by inquiring why the law enforcement line item was $131,500 and asked what the city gets for that money.

Mayor Chris Ford explained that $1,500 pays for the city’s share of the electricity at the city-county radio tower and that $130,000 goes to the sheriff’s department.
Mr. Paul asked again what the city gets for its money, and Mayor Ford said 24-hour police protection.
Mr. Paul then asked if city taxes go for the police protection and noted that county taxes already pay for that. He also inquired about speed control through the city.

The mayor said the question about traffic control would have to be directed to the sheriff.

Sheriff Butch Blackburn told Mr. Paul that the city’s funds help him provide 24-hour coverage to the city and also noted that the contract shifts all law enforcement liability from the city to the county.

Mr. Paul asked if the city is part of the county, which the mayor said he took as a rhetorical question.

“Isn’t the sheriff obligated to respond to calls in the city?” Paul asked.

“Yes,” the mayor responded, “but how he allocates his resources are solely at his discretion.”

Alderman Will Thompson said the contract is in the best interest of both the city and the county and said the sheriff would be forced to cut positions without it.
After the public hearing was closed, the Board of Aldermen moved into its regular meeting with the sheriff’s contract up for discussion first; and Mr. Paul spoke up on the topic again, this time inquiring why the new contract allows Class C tickets to be filed in the county court system.

Sheriff Blackburn explained that he has asked for an increase in his contract this year; but since the city couldn’t not come up with the $10,000 extra, this would help make up that revenue. The money would go to the county’s general fund.

Mr. Paul restated that he thought the money should go to the city if the city is paying the sheriff. He asked how much money this amounted to, and city officials said about $4,000.

“You’re not writing enough tickets then,” Paul told the sheriff.

“If you don’t like the way it is, you can run for sheriff,” Blackburn responded.

Aldermen later approved the contract as part of the motion to approve the city budget for FY 2010.
The board also voted to set the city’s ad valorem tax rate at 65¢ per $100 valuation; approved a bid for health insurance; and approved the budget for the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation.