NEW BLOOMFIELD - New Bloomfield aldermen voted Tuesday evening to continue the policing agreement between Holts Summit and the city into 2019.
Holts Summit police have patrolled New Bloomfield, responding to calls and enforcing city ordinance, since the two cities hashed out a deal in late May. The initial $20,000 half-year contract was set to expire at year's end.
New Bloomfield residents said they were pleased by the deal.
"To have the HSPD just minutes away makes us feel safe," Talon Walther said. "They are an amazing police force and respond quickly and professionally."
Callaway County Sheriffs Office deputies also patrol the area, but they may take slightly longer to arrive than police officers from the next town over.
"The price was right, the coverage was great," New Bloomfield Mayor Terry Shaw said Thursday. "It's exceeded everyone's expectations, including the community members."
The contract extension will cost New Bloomfield $35,000 for a year of policing. New Bloomfield authorities are also donating unused police equipment to HSPD to cover another $5,000. After the meeting, Shaw said the city's getting a good deal.
"(The donated equipment includes) things we cannot utilize," he said. "It's things that a full-time police department can utilize. They were very gracious to give us $5,000 for it because it would not market for anywhere as near that."
Statements from former city police officers back that claim - after being asked to resign for violating the city's media policy in February, former chief of police Greg Mooney said he and officers often paid out-of-pocket to repair failing police equipment.
After Mooney's resignation, city government opted not to replace him, citing budget issues. This left the town without a police force.
The items being donated include four weapons, an animal control dart gun, some traps, a snake pole and other miscellaneous items, Shaw said. The city also owns two Crown Victoria patrol vehicles, which Shaw said will be listed on govdeals.com within the next few weeks.