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St. Paul council rejects proposal to merge city police with Howard County sheriff after public objections
Summary
After extensive public comment favoring local control, the St. Paul City Council voted 4–0 Aug. 19 to not pursue a merger of the St. Paul Police Department with the Howard County Sheriff's Office; Mayor Mike Feeken said no change will occur this year.
Mayor Mike Feeken opened a public hearing Aug. 19 on the city budget and a proposal from the Howard County Sheriff's Office to consider merging policing services, but after residents pressed for local control the St. Paul City Council voted unanimously not to pursue a consolidation.
Sheriff Mike Hoff presented the county's proposal and said the idea had been raised to the sheriff’s office multiple times. According to the record, Howard County Commissioner Kathy Hirschman said state-level proposals on property tax caps are prompting local conversations about duplicated services and possible consolidation opportunities.
"Nothing is going to happen this year," Mayor Mike Feeken told the crowd in an opening statement on the subject. Numerous patrons urged the council to retain a local police department, citing the importance of local control and a visible police presence.
Council member Katie Kowalski moved to approve a motion "not to move forward with the merging of agencies," which Council member Chuck Schmid seconded. Council members Kowalski, Schmid, Bill Peters and Brian Sack voted aye; no members voted against the motion.
The vote concludes the issue for the present year; Mayor Feeken and council members indicated the proposal was something to have on the record for potential future discussion but that no action will occur this year.
