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Committee advances Windsor Township policing agreement modeled on Delta Township to Ways and Means
Summary
County staff presented a Windsor Township police-services agreement that would provide one deputy plus a command-services surcharge and a MERS onetime payment credited over 10 years; commissioners moved the resolution and forwarded it to Ways and Means after discussion on cost variability and staffing.
County staff presented a proposed Windsor Township police-services agreement during the Jan. 15 Eaton County Public Safety Committee meeting that mirrors the county’s existing Delta Township arrangement.
Ben (county staff) described the agreement as a model that provides one full-time deputy for Windsor with an additional charge for command services so the township would contribute toward command-level costs even if it lacks enough deputies to fund a full command structure. The contract includes a one-time MERS payment (for retirement liability) that would be credited back to the township over a 10-year period, with the policing arrangement structured as a three-year contract and a three-year opt-out provision.
Ben said the agreement’s cost variability reflects actual employee pay and health-insurance elections: when filling a vacant position the county budgets for a worst-case cost, then reconciles at year-end, crediting communities for lower actual costs. He added the model is scalable so multiple communities could combine portions of a deputy to restore coverage in a quadrant of the county.
Commissioner Art questioned cost comparisons and noted Oneida Township’s numbers differed because it previously contracted for overtime rather than a full deputy; staff explained reconciliation and crediting mechanisms. Commissioners also discussed where the deputy would sit in the command structure; staff said Lieutenant Dahlgren was fulfilling the role temporarily and a sergeant position retained in the budget could fill contractual command duties once multiple contracts support the salary.
A motion to move the resolution was made, supported and carried; the committee forwarded the Windsor Township agreement to Ways and Means for further consideration.
Next steps: Ways and Means will review the proposed contract language, the MERS crediting schedule and final budget reconciliation details before any final county approval.
