The Carmi City Council met Tuesday evening for their first April meeting.
Police Chief Jason Carter addressed the Council on hiring a new police officer for the City. Carter stated that his Department had reached an agreement with the Carmi-White County Unit 5 school board about splitting the cost between the District and the City for a full time resource officer.
Under the agreement, which will be finalized at the school board meeting on April 16th, the District will pay salary and benefits for 180 days of the year, while the City will cover the remaining 80 days of the work year. When school is not in session, the officer will be able to cover regular shifts for the City.
With salary and benefits, a new officer will cost $79,469.22. Carter also said that there will be a one-time cost of $5900 for uniforms and equipment, and that the surplus Crown Victoria or a recently seized Chrysler 300 can be outfitted for patrol use.
The new officer wouldn’t necessarily be the one assigned to the school. Carter said that most experts recommend an officer with at least three years experience to be chosen as a school resource officer due to the nature of the assignment.
The Council unanimously approved the motion, and the written and physical testing will be held May 12.
The Council also unanimously approved a TIF #2 façade improvement grant for Amber Ackerman, who is opening a new office on Rice Street.
With no reports from the Mayor or any Aldermen, and with no closed session, the meeting adjourned at 5:40 pm, and the Council will meet again on April 17.
