Law Enforcement Committee Discusses Increased Costs

By Gordon HopkinsAs with so many other local governmental meetings this year, the primary topic of discussion at the quarterly meeting of the Fairbury Law Enforcement Committee last week was increased expenses due to inflation and higher wages.The committee, which met on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at the Fairbury City Offices, is part of the contract between the City of Fairbury and Jefferson County when the county took over law enforcement duties from the Fairbury City Police Department in 2018. The committee meets on a quarterly basis. The purpose of the meeting is to coordinate between the city and county and keep the city apprised of the activities of the sheriff’s office and expenses. The original contract allowed for up to a three percent increase in payment by the city every year. However, in 2022, county officials negotiated with the city and agreed to an increase of up to six percent a year for the next three years before returning to three percent a year for the remainder of the contract.Sheriff Nick Georgi told the committee, “So, the current rate is $801,113.83 per year. The county is asking for a six percent increase, which would bring the contract to 849,180.66 cents.”The primary causes of the increased expenses is the staffing shortages that have plagued both the public and private sectors, which have required employers to increase wages and benefits to attract and retain workers. The sheriff explained, “Most of the increase is in wages, payroll benefits and medical insurance.”Sheriff Georgi said, “Wages go up and payroll benefits go up. Your payroll benefits would include retirement, dental, life insurance, Social Security and Medicare.”While costs for staffing increased, Georgi noted the sheriff’s office actually reduce the budget in other areas, despite the inflation crunch, “Total operating expenses (for the current year) was $62,687. Anticipated budget for next year is $57,000. So, some of those things we did go down in. And then, likewise, with supplies, materials, it was $92,609 and we’re anticipating a budget of $89,000 there.”Despite this increase, there is still an imbalance between what the city pays for law enforcement services and the actual cost. Committee member Bradley Kuzelka said, “Just looking back. We know the three percent was not enough right from the start.”Committee member John Ebke said, “So, we’re about $50,000 off, where we were $100,000 off before. So, maybe doesn’t fix it, but it gets it closer, so that if we do continue to do the services, that it won’t be such a big increase.”The contract has a one-year termination clause. Either side could end the agreement if they wished. The city is legally obligated to provide law enforcement services, either with its own policed department or by contracting with another law enforcement agency.

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