Council approves SRO contract with community college and extends county fire‑services contract with reporting and rate commitments

Clinton City Council on April 1 approved a contract to provide a school resource officer (SRO)/director of campus security position for Sampson Community College, to be posted as a contract position and filled through applications. Chief Davis briefed the council that an incumbent retired from a secondary position at the college and that the college and city agreed the SRO role should be a contracted campus‑security position similar to arrangements the city has with the school system.

Separately, council approved a five‑year renewal of a county fire‑services contract that updates reporting, response tracking and funding commitments. Staff explained the new version includes annual tracking and public reporting of response rates and sets a guaranteed supplemental funding rate for three years; staff described a county proposal of a 0.082¢ base rate for the Clinton district leading to a roughly 0.09¢ effective rate when supplemental funding is included. Council recalled it had previously requested the county set the district rate at 10¢ and instructed staff that the county ultimately sets tax rates.

Council members asked whether the municipal department can meet the performance targets; staff and the chief said the department is confident it can meet the 95% response targets stipulated for most calls. The council voted to approve both contracts by voice vote and agreed to forward its previously adopted resolution asking the county commissioners to consider a 10¢ rate for the service district, while acknowledging the county retains final rate‑setting authority.