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After Brookings vote, commissioners discuss options to fund Community Resource Officer
Summary
Following the City of Brookings’ failure to approve a community resource officer agreement, Curry County commissioners debated using opioid funds to place the position with the sheriff’s office, holding a workshop, or continuing negotiations with Brookings; staff will work with Brookings city leadership to try to resolve concerns.
Curry County commissioners on Sept. 23 discussed next steps after the City of Brookings declined to pass an agreement to host a half-time Community Resource Officer (CRO) for the Harbor area.
The presiding commissioner said the county had negotiated a contract with Brookings and had budgeted opioid funds to support the CRO. He reported that Brookings City Council did not approve the agreement at its recent meeting, leaving the service unprovided. The board noted there are six applicants for the position and that one applicant is a road-certified law-enforcement officer currently working in the jail.
Commissioners weighed three options: direct opioid funds to the sheriff’s office to fund a CRO position; convene a workshop to address contract language and funding responsibilities; or continue negotiations with Brookings in hopes the city will revisit the matter. One commissioner urged putting opioid money into the sheriff’s office for the CRO and holding the sheriff accountable to constituents.
Director Fitzgerald was directed to work with the Brookings city manager and refine contract language to address concerns raised by Brookings (including potential city-borne expenses) and return the issue to the board. Commissioners acknowledged community demand for the service and agreed to table formal decision-making until staff reports back.
