Votes at a glance: commission forwards ordinance change to council and adopts higher private‑duty rates

The Middletown Public Safety Commission took several procedural and financial actions at its March 5 special meeting.

Minutes: The commission approved the Dec. 15, 2025 minutes by voice vote with no public comment.

Ordinance revision (section 31‑11): The commission voted to forward a proposed revision of ordinance section 31‑11 to the Governance & City Council committee (GCC). The revision would change the approval path for police department rates and fees so the Public Safety Commission would recommend rates to the common council rather than setting them alone. Commissioners debated whether the change would require a charter amendment; several members urged sending the proposal to GCC for review, and the commission approved sending the revision forward for further consideration.

Private‑duty rates: The commission adopted an updated private‑duty fee schedule. Chief Cost presented the recommended changes and said the department sought to update rates to cover vehicle wear‑and‑tear and increased labor costs under a new contract. The changes approved at the meeting set standard private‑duty rates at $125 per hour and a nonprofit rate at $112.50 per hour (the chief said these figures replace previously lower rates). The motion to accept the rate changes was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote.

Procedure and next steps: Commissioners discussed whether the ordinance revision and rate changes should be decoupled for separate votes; the body approved the rate changes and sent the ordinance revision to GCC, with the understanding that any charter implications would be examined by council committees before final action. The chief said any rate change would need council approval in April to take effect under the town timeline.

The meeting concluded after a brief budget update and procedural reports; the commission adjourned later in the evening.