Inverness rejects police deal with Barrington
Inverness could be on the way to forming its own police department.
Saying it's too expensive, elected officials have unanimously rejected a proposal from Barrington for a multimillion-dollar, five-year police contract that would run until 2014.
Barrington has provided Inverness with police coverage since the 1970s, and the current contract is up on April 30, 2009.
A study by consultant J.D. Bratcher & Associates, commissioned by Inverness, estimates the village would save $1.7 million to $2.2 million over that five-year period if it start its own police force. The number depends on what kind of pension options would be instituted.
"It is a significant dollar amount over a period of years that we'd be saving taxpayers," said Trustee Mickie Polk. "I don't think there's anyone who can justify charging taxpayers this extra money."
Barrington Village Manager Denise Pieroni said her village board hasn't yet determined what its response will be to the Inverness rejection.
Should Barrington revise its proposal, both towns would need to reach an agreement by Jan. 31, 2008.
Polk says there's a willingness on the Inverness board to continue talks, but not at the price Barrington is asking. She said prices have gone up every year and that it's not cost-effective anymore.
"We don't have the same kind of issues in Inverness, as Barrington has such as a large commercial district with restaurants and bars," she said.
Inverness officials said the offer from Barrington would cost Inverness about $11.6 million.
Should Inverness start its own department, the estimated cost over five years is $9.3 million to $9.8 million, which includes startup costs, said Village Administrator Curt Carver.
"This isn't an issue with service. It's an issue about costs," he said.
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.