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Union City council delays hiring decision for full-time officer amid stormwater cost concerns
Summary
Councilors discussed but did not approve hiring a full-time police officer, saying unresolved stormwater repairs and unexpected infrastructure costs affected their willingness to add staff. Mayor Robert Wolf said the candidate deserves an explanation after completing tests and evaluations.
Councilors in Union City discussed the prospect of adding a full-time police officer during their July 23 meeting but stopped short of approving a hire, citing concerns about unanticipated stormwater repair costs.
Mayor Robert Wolf said the candidate had completed testing and evaluations and “is a good candidate,” and that the borough owes the person an explanation for the decision. Wolf said the candidate will continue testing in the regional consortium.
Councilor Melissa Winkler said she was unaware the borough was actively seeking another officer and expressed concern about the budgetary impact of recent stormwater problems. Councilor James Kerns said stormwater issues and related expected expenses, not the candidate’s qualifications, drove hesitancy among some council members.
Jeremy Sterling of Centerville questioned the council’s earlier decision not to hire another officer during the public-comment portion; council members said the topic would be discussed during the meeting. The minutes show no motion to hire carried at the meeting.
The council later went into an executive session to discuss personnel and contracts; the minutes record no action taken during that session. Any future hiring decision will likely depend on the council resolving stormwater repair costs and clarifying budget implications.
