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Council reviews $35,000 proposal for contracted officer to increase patrols; residents push alternatives
Summary
A proposal from Gunnison-area law enforcement to provide a contracted officer for Mayfield would cost about $35,000 per year; council members discussed alternatives including signage, speed-feedback signs, targeted enforcement and photo enforcement and asked staff for more options.
Mayfield council members discussed a proposal to contract with a Gunnison-area law-enforcement agency for increased patrols and proactive enforcement after residents raised concerns about speeding, ATVs and e-bikes in town.
The mayor reported an offer to provide a dedicated officer at an annual cost of roughly $35,000. The service would be an on-call arrangement with a scheduled minimum of one hour per day of proactive patrol, the mayor said; spread across town households the mayor estimated the cost at about $10.61 per household per month.
Council members and residents debated the proposal’s costs and likely effectiveness. Some argued that the town’s problems are seasonal or caused largely by locals and might be better addressed through community education and signage. Others said one hour per day would have limited effect unless staggered across times of day, and they urged a more robust presence during mornings and evenings when most complaints occur.
Residents and council members suggested lower-cost alternatives: expanded use of flashing speed-feedback signs, targeted patrols during peak hours, formal complaints to the county highway or state highway patrol for heavy truck routing, and exploring automated/photo enforcement options used in other jurisdictions. One council member suggested the town examine traffic-calming measures such as road dips; others warned about liability and operational limits when adding physical speed-control devices on county or state roads.
Council members asked staff to pursue additional options and to return with cost comparisons and implementation details; no contract or formal decision was made at the June 11 meeting.
Clarifying details: the proposed contract cost was cited as $35,000 per year; the cost per household was presented as approximately $10.61 per month; proposed services included a 24/7 on-call arrangement with a scheduled minimum of one hour per day of proactive policing.
