Carlisle council authorizes agreement to place school resource officer; funding and equipment questions remain

The City of Carlisle City Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 8-25, authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with the Carlisle Local School District to station a school resource officer (SRO) in district schools, with the program expected to begin in March.

The measure, passed as an emergency resolution after roll-call votes of all present members, follows a school-board vote the previous night to start the program and the selection of an officer for training. Council members and city staff said the school and police department have identified an officer and that several pieces of equipment and vehicle outfitting remain to be finalized before the officer begins regular duties.

Council members emphasized the urgency of the program while also raising procedural and budget questions. Councilmember Kilpatrick and others asked for clearer line-item budgeting and requested the finance director attend a future meeting to answer questions about an omnibus supplemental ordinance that would have encumbered funds for SRO vehicle outfitting and other items. City staff said some equipment cannot be ordered until funds are encumbered.

City and school officials described a donated vehicle that will be used for the SRO: a 2020 Ford Explorer with roughly 54,000 miles donated by the City of Springboro. Staff said the vehicle included a light bar and other major hardware, reducing the city's immediate equipment cost; they estimated that acquiring a fully equipped new car could have cost about $40,000. Some remaining equipment and installation still require encumbrance before ordering.

Council members also flagged one contract detail: the agreement presented to the council did not specify exact school hours during which the SRO would be on duty. City and school representatives acknowledged the omission and said the parties would clarify hours in the final paperwork.

Separately during the meeting the council took related fiscal actions: it tabled a larger supplemental ordinance (Ordinance 4-25) that had bundled multiple budget items — including personnel bonus funding and vehicle/equipment costs — until the finance director could attend; it approved Resolution 7-25, a then-and-now certificate for Warren County Water & Sewer to cover a $4,000 invoice difference; and it approved a $250 donation for the Corral Lions Club to help community families at holiday meals. Council scheduled the next regular meeting on March 11, when members said they expect to revisit the supplemental funding and final SRO details.

Implementation steps now cited by staff include clarifying contract hours, encumbering funds for vehicle outfitting, and ordering any remaining equipment. Officials said some SRO-related tasks (training of the officer and coordination with school administrators) can proceed while the city finalizes equipment purchases.

Councilmembers who voted in favor were Mister Faulkner, Mister Kilpatrick, Mister Humphreys, Missus Kemper, Mister Stivers and Mayor Winkler. The council recorded the votes on Resolution 8-25 as unanimous in favor.