Eaton County officials and residents said the county’s outside patrol coverage has shrunk after recent contract changes and that townships face uncertainty about future planning, zoning and policing arrangements.

The issue surfaced in public comment and the administrator’s report at the Eaton County Board of Commissioners meeting Oct. 15, when resident Andy Shaver said District 1 has “no police coverage” and called on the county to give townships clear timelines and options. “We need to be able to make decisions,” Shaver said, noting roughly 7,600 residents in his district.

County administration described active negotiations with townships and a continuing shortfall of deputies. The county reported being down six positions in Delta Township — five deputies and one detective — and down four positions elsewhere in the county, with about 10 currently open positions overall and additional vacancies expected through retirements. A county staff member said recruiting and retention remain a challenge and that staffing the Delta contract is currently the administration’s primary commitment.

Officials also said state funding changes could narrow the window to recruit by reimbursing academy costs for new officers. A staff member said the state’s reimbursement per recruit was roughly $24,000 previously and that the statewide appropriation and per‑person reimbursement have been reduced; as a result, county officials expect grant funding to be exhausted earlier in the recruitment cycle and warned the county may receive reimbursements for new recruits only within a shortened timeframe.

The administrator said talks are underway with Windsor Township and Delta Township on possible contract structures that could include shared supervision or cost‑sharing to reduce county budget impacts. He said Windsor currently has a deputy and Oneida’s contract has relied on overtime; the county is exploring options to avoid immediate new hires by arranging supervisory support through Delta or other partners.

Resident public commenters pressed the board for clearer communications. Shaver said townships have received inconsistent information from county staff and asked commissioners and administration to coordinate outreach so local officials can plan budgets and services.

County commissioners urged continued outreach. Commissioner Drosha and others noted the planned public hearing Oct. 28 on the county’s planning and zoning ordinance and encouraged township representatives to attend so they receive the same information.

Looking ahead, administrators said the county will continue contract talks with township leaders and monitor state funding for recruitment incentives. No formal policy change was adopted at the Oct. 15 meeting; commissioners were updated on negotiations, staffing levels and timing for further meetings with township supervisors and local chiefs.