Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 117, No. 11	March 18, 2009

Police communications hot topic at Muldraugh council

By LARRY SEE JR.
Messenger Staff

Cutting overtime costs resulted in a discussion on the lack of communications between area police departments during the March 9 Muldraugh City Council meeting.

Newly-elected council member Patricia Reese presented two ways of saving funds for the city – eliminating the salaries and life insurance payments for Mayor Danny Joe Tate and council members and overtime for the Department of Public Works and Police Department.

Reese expressed appreciation to City Clerk/Treasurer Caroline Cline for assisting her in preparing the report.

“In the overtime area, I understand you have emergencies and you have to do it, but $11,000 in the past six months is just too much,” Reese said.

Reese referred to the overtime paid Police Chief John Stinebruner from September 2008 to February 2009. The total payment was $11,598.82.

Tate said there were 168 hours in a week and police officers work 120 hours a week.

“When they leave and someone breaks in, you are going to need the police,” he said. “It’s not worth it to hire a part-time police officer.”

Tate said the department previously had part-time officers, only to have them acquire training and leave for better positions.

“You have sick pay, vacations and schooling and when one guy is out for that, the other two are going to have to pick up his slack,” Tate said.

Council members suggested paying compensation time, but it was reported if you work an hour over you’re required to have 90 minutes of compensation time.

“I’m just saying that we need to think before we do this,” Reese said.

“I can’t do that,”Tate said. “It takes two police officers to answer a domestic complaint. We have got to go to (the complaints) when we are dispatched.”

Tate said he would issue a directive, based on the council’s wishes, that city staff could not work overtime.

Another suggested that perhaps the Meade County sheriff could patrol Muldraugh when they were down an officer.

Both Stinebruner and Tate said county Sheriff William “Butch” Kerrick has barely enough officers to cover the county, in addition to Muldraugh.

“I’m not blowing smoke, that is what the man said,” Stinebruner said. “We had a drug bust down here at a local restaurant and he (Kerrick) did not tell the Muldraugh Police Department that it was going on. They were there in plain clothes when it went down. If they (the county sheriff) would work with the Muldraugh Police Department it would be a blessing.”

Constable Hank Bailey was also unaware of the bust, adding he drove to the restaurant in a marked vehicle as it was underway.

“We’re lucky there were not any shots or anything fired (in regard) to the incident,” Stinebruner said.

Stinebruner said the county executed a search warrant against the proprietor of another local restaurant, again without notifying the department.

During the first incident, Stinebruner said he was in town, on personal time, in case there was a situation.

“I like Muldraugh, but I also have a home, too, and I have a life,” Stinebruner said.

Tate praised both Bailey and Stinebruner for their service and time to the community, adding it would be more costly if Bailey wasn’t around town as much as he is.

“Before Butch (took office) we had two deputies who lived in Muldraugh,” Stinebruner said. “Now we don’t have any.”

Reese suggested officials try to justify as much overtime as they can, adding at times lift stations break and sewer lines need repaired.

“I just wanted you to be aware of this,” she said.

In response to another statement from Tate, Reese said “Muldraugh is not downtown Louisville. There is not that much going on here.”

“I can’t stop the overtime,” Tate said,

“I don’t want it stopped,” Reese said. “I just want it under control.”

“Then you need to come up with a better plan,” Tate said. “I can send out a notice Thursday that will say no more overtime when I do the payroll. I just want to know what you want me to do.”

Council member Kenneth Toler said one way to curtail overtime would be to have department officials notify the mayor when their services are needed.

“The mayor manages the people,” he said. “He needs to take care of it. You have got to have some overtime otherwise you’re going to have 1,300 people sitting at your door.”

Tate reiterated police officers must undergo necessary training and attend school.

“It’s not what it used to be like,” he said. “You can’t just hire them and put them out on the street anymore.”

Officials said DPW overtime fluctuated during the survey period, due to the snow and ice.

Council member Louis “Woodie” Holston suggested workers be asked their opinions.

“I would be willing to hire a part-time police officer, if I can find them,” Tate said.

The discussion was closed with Tate stating the current city employees are some of the best the city has.

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