SAUGATUCK, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – The next step in the process of the city of Saugatuck divorcing itself from neighboring Douglas in sharing police services could come on Tuesday night.
During a special workshop session on Thursday, the Saugatuck City Council agreed to put a resolution “authorizing and directing the preparation of an advisory report regarding alternative means of providing public safety services” on the agenda for its next business meeting. The proposed split after nearly 20 years of a joint department with Douglas stems, according to the draft of the resolution, “due to issues of funding allocation and other matters.”
According to Saugatuck City Manager Kirk Harrier, ending the agreement would slice the city’s police budget in half. However, an alternative of having the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department take over policing the city may be problematic in the short term, as the department has issues with current staffing levels, and there has been talk about the possibility of asking voters for a millage to fund necessary improvements in manpower and equipment.
During the work-study session, other police alternatives were discussed, and Mayor Ken Trestor said to his council colleagues that the city will continue to take public comment on the matter throughout the entire process.
