Worth County supervisors debate policing coverage and plan workshop with Manly on cost-sharing

Worth County supervisors devoted a lengthy discussion to policing coverage, intergovernmental cost-sharing and the feasibility of providing 24/7 patrols for small towns. The board discussed per-capita cost benchmarks and the staffing levels needed to maintain continuous coverage.

Speaker 1 framed the problem by noting that smaller towns say they cannot sustain growing policing costs and that the county must consider a fee structure or backup coverage arrangement. Board members cited a per-capita figure of $38.25 as a reference point; Manly’s and Northwood’s per-capita numbers were discussed as roughly $12.56 and $20.72, respectively. Several members argued those lower contributions would not cover the county’s full cost to provide continuous coverage.

Board members explored options including a county-level backup and defined-hour coverage, negotiating different price structures for larger towns that would draw more officer time, and treating dispatch and administrative services as separately billed items. Members noted that sustaining 24/7 coverage would likely require at least four officers per jurisdiction to cover vacations and leave, and that borrowing officers to back up towns can erode coverage in other areas.

Members agreed to try to get the issue placed on Manly’s agenda and to hold a county workshop (proposed for Thursday at 9 a.m.) to assemble call-volume data, build a cost model and propose fee or service options. Speaker 2 said they would contact Aaron to inform him of the board’s intention to discuss compensation for county coverage and to arrange follow-up meetings with Manly if necessary.

The discussion did not result in a formal motion to change policy; rather, the board asked staff to gather call-volume data and to prepare options for the planned workshop.