Inverness-Barrington police split driven by cost

It looks like Inverness and Barrington are parting ways when it comes to sharing police services.

On Tuesday night, Inverness trustees unanimously rejected a third offer from Barrington that would extend their police contract until 2014. The current contract is up April 30, 2009.

Officials say it comes down to money and the decision has nothing to do with the level of service their residents are receiving from the Barrington department.

According to a study done by an outside consultant, it would cost Inverness $1.3 million less over five years if they were to start their own police force, instead of using services through Barrington.

"It really boils down to economics," said Inverness Trustee Dick Gallagher. "If we stay with Barrington, this would entail a tax increase. If we have our own service, the tax increase would be much less."

Despite last minute appeals from one Inverness resident, along with the Barrington mayor, village manager, police chief and a trustee at Tuesday's board meeting, elected officials voted 6-0 against the contract.

The current offer from Barrington is $10.1 million for a five-year policing agreement. That is down from the original offer of $11.6 million for this same period.

"It speaks volumes that you were able to drop this by $1.5 million," said Inverness Trustee Tim Tiedje. "But it's not on a positive note."

Barrington officials say that just because something looks cheaper on paper, doesn't always equate to a savings.

"As you start your own department, you will find that a lack of depth creates problems," said Barrington Police Chief Jeff Lawler. "It's hard to handle some things with a small number of personnel."

Jim Daluga, a Barrington trustee, told Inverness officials that lowering the proposal cost by $1.5 million is a fair proposal.

"You are comparing it to a study," he said. "But this is real life versus a study."

He added that if the two towns separated with police services, there are officers in the Barrington department that will lose their jobs.

Barrington has provided Inverness with police coverage since the 1970s. Should Inverness start its own department, the estimated cost over five years is $9.3 million to $9.8 million, which includes startup costs.

Some Inverness trustees argue that because the village has very few businesses and no restaurants, they don't need the same type of police service that a town like Barrington warrants.

Under a scenario by the consultants, an Inverness police force would be housed inside the village hall annex at 1415 Baldwin Road. It would consist of 10 to 12 employees so there would be two sworn officers working all the time.

The two municipalities have until Jan 31 to reach an agreement, or else the contract will expire when it's up.

Barrington officials say now that they have no plans to bring forth another offer.