Cascade council delays vote on starting a town police department

UPDATE:

CASCADE, Mont. — Cascade’s plan to create a municipal police department is put on hold until the town council’s next scheduled meeting on September 14.

Council members said they wanted more time to review what it would cost to launch a police agency while also giving the county another chance to meet about the details.

The delay came as tensions continued between town leaders and county officials over talks tied to law enforcement services.

“We’ve tried numerous times to sit down with sheriff Slaughter and the county and they keep giving us the middle finger,” said Becca Wood, a Town of Cascade council member.

Sheriff Jesse Slaughter said a canceled meeting was not his call and said county commissioners handled contract negotiations.

“The cancellation of the meeting, I don’t know how it got conveyed. That was a commissioner’s decision. That wasn’t my decision. The county commissioners negotiated. I don’t negotiate the contract,” said Jesse Slaughter, Cascade County sheriff.

Mayor Wes Seabolt shared a timeline showing the town had been trying to negotiate a new law enforcement contract with the county and sheriff’s office.

He said the process had dragged on for more than a year, with two meetings canceled and little progress made.

“This has been prolonged for over a year since April 23 last year and it’s time to do something,” said Wes Seabolt, Town of Cascade mayor.

The town was comparing the cost of starting its own department with signing a new deal for sheriff’s office services.

Town estimates put a new police agency at more than $256,000. Services through the sheriff’s office were estimated at $93,000.

Seabolt said that contract amount would be up from $65,000. He also said the council had concerns that town ordinances were not being enforced.

For some residents, the main concern was how the town would cover the cost.

“We’re just going to raise taxes? How are we paying for it?” said a Cascade resident.

“Will it be funded by raising taxes on families who are already feeling the pinch from rising property evaluations? Will it be funded by cutting services we actually use?” said Nick Malone, a Cascade resident.

Slaughter said he supports the proposal but believes the town’s estimate may not cover every expense tied to starting a department.

“I think you guys are on the right track. However, I do think your costs are underestimated because there are some other things that I think you’re going to have to think about. I’m more than willing to help you with that. If you want to reach out to talk about some of those costs, I have them,” said Jesse Slaughter.

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED: 

CASCADE, Mont. — A proposal to create a municipal police department in Cascade was put on hold by the town council after a lengthy public meeting.

The council spent nearly four hours on presentations and public comment before deciding it needed more information about startup costs. Council members also wanted one more chance to work with Cascade County on a new agreement or find a financially responsible way to launch a police agency without creating a major burden for Cascade taxpayers.

The Cascade Town Council said it had been trying for more than a year to reach a new deal with Cascade County, but multiple meetings were canceled. That process led the town to end its contract with the Cascade County Sheriff's Office.

Much of the concern during public comment centered on the cost of starting a town police department.

According to the figures discussed at the meeting, staying with the sheriff's office would cost $93,000. The startup cost for a municipal police department was listed at $256,225.

The council plans to take up the proposal again at its next town council meeting.