Bellechester council approves year‑round policing contract with Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office

Bellechester — The Bellechester City Council voted Sept. 18 to accept a year‑round policing contract with the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office that sets a minimum of 3.5 hours of patrol per week for Bellechester and Dennison and removes the previous May–September, 11‑hours‑per‑week seasonal arrangement.

City Clerk Lisa Redepenning told the council the sheriff’s office proposed the minimum of 3.5 hours per week, equating to roughly 182 hours annually, and said patrols would not be at fixed times but the goal would be to have a squad pass through town daily. The motion to approve the contract was made by Council member Rich Majerus and seconded by Council member Mark Gerken; the motion carried.

The clerk presented the estimated annual cost totals and hourly rates in the contract: 2025 at $71.03 per hour (annual estimate $12,927), 2026 at $79.80 per hour (annual estimate $14,524) and 2027 at $89.61 per hour (annual estimate $16,309). By contrast, the previous seasonal coverage (11 hours/week, May–September) would have produced higher annual costs under the rates shown for 2025–2027.

The council did not set fixed patrol times; Redepenning said the sheriff’s office indicated it would treat Bellechester and Dennison the same and that residents who wish to ride along may contact Major Mychal Johnson at mychal.johnson@goodhuecountymn.gov or 651‑267‑2655. No vote tally by name was recorded in the minutes; motions were recorded as “motion carried.”

The approval replaces the prior seasonal contract and establishes the new multi‑year rate schedule as presented to the council. The meeting record does not specify a start date for the new coverage period.