Last night, during a regular meeting of the Mountain View City Council, the city’s police department received an affirmative nod from city council members to continue serving the city.
The standing-room-only crowd of over 70 also gave support to fund a new jail. Stone County’s current jail is old, out-of-date, and has been condemned by the state, and the county’s quorum court is running out of time to replace it. The county has been doing planning and preliminary work to put building a new jail before the public by March of next year. A one-cent sales tax seems to be the consensus as to the way to fund jail construction, operation, and maintenance.
Tuesday night’s meeting was quite orderly with many voicing their opinion on several law enforcement issues including the idea being floated of entering into an interlocal agreement with the Stone County Sheriff’s Office providing law enforcement for the unincorporated area of the county and the city of Mountain View. (Click here for more info.)
The crowd on hand was in support of the city police and made several points to support keeping the department. Mountain View Police Chief B. J. Day gave a report showing that very little money would be saved by turning over law enforcement in the city to the sheriff’s office.
The meeting was handled by Mayor Roger Gardner as he allowed all to speak who wished to do so. Stone County Judge Stacy Avey gave information on the progress of the county towards a new jail, and he answered several questions from the audience. Avey encouraged all in attendance to talk with their friends and neighbors about jail funding.
After the two and half-hour meeting, councilman Dana Wood said the meet was held, as usual, in a very democratic way. And Wood hoped those in attendance would keep the enthusiasm they displayed and participate at every opportunity in city and county meetings.
All councilmen thanked audience members for their attendance and concerns.
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