John Scarffe, Gilpin County.  The Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office presented an addendum to a memorandum of understanding for covering Central City police duties during the regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at the Gilpin County Courthouse.

In February, Central City released a statement regarding its law enforcement situation. “At a Special Council Meeting on Friday, February 26, 2016, a Resolution for a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Central and the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office for the provision of assistance with law enforcement services was approved.

“City Manager Daniel Miera stated, ‘Despite continued efforts over the years, adequately staffing and operating a “24-7” program continues to be extremely challenging for the Police Department. In light of pre-existing and recent staffing issues, and the seriousness of our situation, our City Council met and discussed possible interim solutions to our staffing situation.

‘As a result, staff for the City was asked by City Council to explore the possibilities of securing assistance from the sheriff’s office and the Black Hawk Police Department. Although both agencies generously offered their assistance, the sheriff’s office was able to commit to providing the needed services to the City through a formal Agreement.’”

Undersheriff Jon Bayne detailed the MOU amendment between the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) and Central City. The original MOU became effective on March 8, 2016. “To provide routine and common law enforcement services to the City, GCSO will need to hire and train two additional deputies,” according to the First Amendment to the MOU.

The MOU authorizes the Sheriff’s Office to use one Central City Police Department patrol vehicle. The City and County may, at a future date, formally discuss an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) for law enforcement services in Central City.

The amendment to the MOU changes the hourly rate for services from $25 per hour to $36.07 per hour. “The City will be responsible for reimbursing GCSO for all costs associated with each additional deputy, including salary, uniform, equipment and benefits,” according to the amendment.

The Sheriff’s Office can use any of its deputies to provide services to the City and is not limited to only using the two new deputies for this purpose. The Sheriff’s Office can also deploy all of its personnel to any emergency, even if it prevents the Office from temporarily providing services to the City.

The City will pay a special rate during holidays, special events or other circumstances when the Sheriff’s Office has to hire additional personnel, according to the amendment. The City also authorizes the Sheriff’s Office to use two City patrol vehicles at no charge.

Bayne told the Board that Central City Police Department employment has become more acute and needs a higher level of coverage than originally thought. They will be down to three officers as of Friday.

The MOU amendment will allow the Sheriff’s Office to go forward with the hiring process. Board Chair Linda Isenhart asked if the County is seeing that it will be caring for Central City’s law enforcement services down the road.

“That’s the way it looks,” Bayne said. “An attorney is working on drafting an IGA. Captain Tonia Kapke said that two deputies would be paid for by Central City, and under the planned IGA they would need two more deputies.

Bayne explained that, if they hire the deputies now, they won’t be able to work alone until July. Captain Tom Imme, who is working on the schedules with Central City, said for now current Sheriff’s Officers will be covering the City.

Commissioner Buddy Schmalz asked what happens if in two years Central City decides this isn’t working, and Bayne replied that the officers could go to work for Central City if they need that. “There would be layoffs if the need ended.”

Schmalz said there is no certainty, and we have limited control. “It doesn’t take much to change the direction of the city. We don’t have a lot of say in that.”

Commissioner Gail Watson said the City could eliminate the police department entirely. “As long as they reimburse us, I’m fine with that.”

County Manager Roger Baker said: “You believe you will need two officers to continue the staffing level you have now, and you’re anticipating that you will come back when they have another MOU.”

Bayne said: “We don’t have four applicants we can hire right now. We’re looking at what’s going on with Central City and what’s going on internally.”

Watson said that the Board’s intention is not to increase the Gilpin sheriff’s patrol if the arrangement doesn’t move forward. Baker suggested the Commissioners make two motions: one motion to hire vacancies as they occur, and another motion to move forward to hire additional deputies if the Central City IGA occurs.

They wouldn’t have to advertise any differently, Baker said. More deputies wouldn’t be hired if they have no vacancy.

Bayne added that Central City is about to lose its police chief. If an IGA is signed, they will need six total officers. It’s possible it’s a ten-year contract. “To revert back, the City would have to start up a department, and that’s not going to happen overnight.”

Isenhart said: “We’re a small county. I don’t see why we can’t cover Central City if we get reimbursed.” Watson asked if they will be enforcing city laws, and Imme answered that they could enforce some city ordinances, such as parking issues on High Street.

Schmalz moved approval of the MOU amendment as presented, and the Board approved the motion.

County Attorney Jim Petrock then explained that Central City is under no obligation to complete the IGA. Watson said, “I think that’s another deeper conversation we need to have.”

Schmalz asked who is under the gun here, and Bayne said: “We are, because if they don’t have any officers we have to roll in. They’re giving us officers we can use for the County also.”

Schmalz said the County is not cutting something out of its budget to support these services. The Board then approved starting the process of hiring two more officers.

The Board also approved filling four other vacant positions for the Sheriff’s Office: a full-time and part-time cook; a community services officer and a detentions deputy.

The Gilpin County Commissioners met on May 10, and the next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 24, at 9 a.m. at the Gilpin County Courthouse, 203 Eureka Street, Central City.