Defiance council adopts agreement to assign lieutenant to regional narcotics task force

Defiance City Council on March 24 adopted an emergency ordinance allowing the city to enter a shared‑personnel agreement with the MAN (multi-area narcotics) task force and to assign Lieutenant Ben Williams to serve as MAN unit commander.

City staff described the change as a formalization of an arrangement that had already been implemented administratively. “This agreement formalizes the partnership between the city and the MAN task force and ensures the city will be fully reimbursed for all salary and related expenses associated with this assignment,” Mr. Mack told the council, adding the position was established by civil service as “MAN unit commander” and that Williams had been transitioned into the role.

Council members said they viewed the agreement as a way for the city to support regional law enforcement while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The council moved to suspend the usual three‑reading rule and adopted the ordinance as an emergency; the roll call showed the present councilmembers voting in favor and Mr. Hancock was excused.

The ordinance records that the city will receive reimbursement for salary and related costs; the transcript does not specify the exact dollar amounts or the contract term. Council did not request additional details on the funding schedule at the meeting.

What happens next: by adopting the ordinance as an emergency the city may finalize and sign the agreement promptly; any specifics of reimbursement, term length and reporting will be subject to the signed agreement and civil‑service documentation.