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Mayor and police chief warn Amherst committee that daily DORA could strain resources
Summary
The mayor read a police-chief letter opposing a permanent daily DORA model, citing safety, staffing and cost concerns; council discussed who would bear overtime and how special events would be handled.
The mayor read a statement from the police chief opposing a shift from event-based DORA to a daily, open model, saying the change "would cost additional funds from our taxpayers or businesses in order to provide the necessary police presence" and that the proposed expansion raised concerns about safety, security and strain on department resources.
Council members pressed administration for clarity on how the additional policing would be funded and whether special events would still require separate permits and charges. The mayor and administration said the city would typically cover overtime out of budget and then seek additional funds if needed, and that event organizers could be charged for extra coverage when the chief determines staffing is required. The law department advised the committee that state notice requirements under the Ohio Revised Code must be followed when changing DORA rules and that reverting hours later would require legislative action.
