Clarkson Valley officials say police contract costs rising; city plans requests for proposals

Mayor Sue McNamara told the Board of Aldermen on April 7 that she and City Administrator Megan Eldridge met with Chesterfield officials and were told the police-services contract rate "would be increasing by almost double." The board was informed the city plans to request proposals for police services and for sanitation services to respond to the rising costs.

Why it matters: The police-services contract covers officers assigned to Clarkson Valley; a near-doubling of the contract rate would materially affect the city’s budget and service arrangements for public safety. The board did not adopt any new contract at the meeting but directed staff to pursue proposals and provide options.

What was said: McNamara reported the meeting with Chesterfield’s Police Chief Cheryl Funkhouser and City Administrator Mike Geisel. The minutes record that "the police services contract would be increasing by almost double" and that the city planned to request proposals for both police and sanitation services. When Alderman Courtney Birkel asked why the costs would almost double if specific officers were not designated to Clarkson Valley, Ms. Eldridge replied that the rate had been unchanged for the duration of the contract and that operational costs have increased over time.

Next steps: City staff will prepare and issue requests for proposals (RFPs) for police and sanitation services; the board will consider proposals and any recommended contract changes at a future meeting. No dollar amounts or new contract terms were specified at the April 7 meeting.