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Council discusses police hiring amid concern about stormwater repair costs
Summary
Public commenter raised questions about the council's decision not to hire another police officer; Mayor Robert Wolf and councilors said the candidate deserves an explanation but cited pending stormwater repair costs as a key factor in delaying or altering hiring plans.
A member of the public asked Union City Borough Council July 23 to explain why it had not hired an additional police officer, prompting council discussion that tied the staffing question to recent stormwater repair needs.
Jeremy Sterling of Centerville asked council about the decision not to hire another officer and what outcome to expect. Mayor Robert Wolf said the borough owes the candidate an explanation after the person completed testing and evaluations and said both he and the police chief had indicated a need for another full-time officer. Wolf also noted the candidate’s preference for a smaller department.
Councilor Melissa Winkler said she was not aware the borough was pursuing a hire and that she was concerned about the costs associated with recent stormwater problems. Councilor James Kerns echoed concern that the hiring decision was influenced by pending stormwater-related expenses rather than the candidate’s qualifications. The minutes indicate council agreed the decision not to hire at this time reflected budget uncertainty tied to stormwater repairs, not the candidate’s merits.
The police chief provided the June 2024 report; no questions were recorded. No formal motion to hire was made or tabled during the public meeting. The council later moved forward with accepting a $5,000 quote for Municipal Lot No. 1 stormwater repairs and awarded a trail contract; those actions were recorded separately.
The meeting proceeded to other agenda items and adjourned at 6:38 P.M.; an executive session on personnel and contracts followed with no action taken.
