Cloverdale council questions detective’s compensation

CLOVERDALE — How a part-time position in the Cloverdale Police Department is funded is facing questions from town leaders as to a new detective’s caseload.

With Council President Brandon Tancak marshaling the discussion, the Cloverdale Town Council drilled at its recent regular meeting whether Caitlin Browning, who was approved as a part-time officer in October, has been properly compensated since. However, confusion over clarity ensued.

To a question from Tancak about Browning’s workload, Cloverdale Police Sgt. Adam Hull, standing in for Town Marshal Steve Hibler, related that she assisted on eight cases in February and was assigned to one just then. Tancak provided that Browning had worked only 164 man-hours since her hiring, not including a 40-hour training course.

“The reason I bring this to the council, the reason for the low number of hours is we, as a town, do not have the budget in place to fund this position,” Tancak said, referring to the part-time position. He added that Browning had been paid about $5,000 out of three different accounts to the time of the meeting.

The council approved in October for $1,500 to be earmarked for comp time, and it was also stated that Browning would be compensated through an enforcement fund from the Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office. She in the meantime was to train with Crime Scene Investigator Rick Lambert.

However, Tancak said the town had not received any money from the prosecutor. Clerk-Treasurer Kelly Maners provided in turn that she was instructed to pay Browning out of other relevant funding. This is as Browning has worked 13.5 hours under the prosecutor’s guise, with the rest being under the town.

“This was a one-time giving of funds, and I was told that when we would get low, that he (Hibler) would ask for more,” Maners said, stipulating that this was only what she was instructed.

Hull, however, provided that the prosecutor’s compensation was solely directed toward drug enforcement. The town money was to be for Browning’s local detective work, including collecting evidence, search warrants and other related tasks. Maners noted that $3,500 was also set aside for Browning this year.

Ultimately, Tancak asked the council for a motion to eliminate the part-time position in question. He in turn noted the council as unable to clarify such issues due to Hibler being absent regularly.

“My concern is that we have limited-to-no information as far as the budgeting, the agreements, those types of things, so we don’t have a full picture,” Councilman Greg Jay said for his part. He then made his own motion to table the position.

Council Vice President Brice Howell then seconded Jay’s recommendation, but added that Browning should be on leave until Hibler can clarify her compensation. A sticking point, however, was this potentially complicating the case that she had just assumed.

“These were questions that we were told were completely coming from the prosecutor’s office,” Howell said, “and until he (Hibler) comes back, I do not see that the town should be liable for her salary.”

With Tancak and Councilman Larry Fidler dissenting, the council passed Jay’s motion. It was also stipulated that Browning’s police vehicle was to be parked in the meantime.

In other business:

• Before the meeting itself, the council held a public hearing regarding a Community Development Block Grant through the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). The grant pertains to stormwater drainage improvements in a town-wide project.

Eric Smith of HWC Engineering detailed the list of areas to be addressed, which include Stardust Hills, Lazy River Road, Market Street, Stardust Way, Water Street, West Street, Doe Creek and a block itself of Market Street. The total cost of the project is $1,040,600, including contingencies and non-construction.

A representative from Kleinpeter Consulting said the grant is for $600,000, and that a proposal is to be submitted by April 30, with a full application submitted by June 28. An announcement for funding would be expected in August.

• The council approved a second contract for a school resource officer, but to add life insurance, workman’s comp, vehicle insurance and uniforms. Maners expressed concerns with these as far as caps were concerned, noting that Cloverdale Schools and South Putnam Schools each should cover $50,000 of expenses.

• Though the nature of the change was not stated, the council approved a recommendation by the Cloverdale Planning Commission to rezone a set of parcels along Stardust Way.

• The council in whole approved three appointments between the Cloverdale Planning Commission, Cloverdale Park Board and Redevelopment Authority Board.

Howell was approved to resign as a citizen member of the planning commission, but to cover a vacancy for an elected official. Meanwhile, the council approved for Justin Witt to fill a vacancy on the park board. John Bailey was then approved to cover a vacancy on the latter board.

• Waiving its second reading, the council approved Ordinance 2023-1 establishing a fund to hold $331,796 of American Rescue Plan Act money given by the county. The money is to go toward the town’s Community Crossings local match for the Bennington Way repair project.

• The council adopted Resolution 2023-2 regarding a plan for how the town’s own alloted ARPA money would be spent. The resolution stipulates that the town will take the standard allowance and comply with its federal and state guidelines.

• With a public hearing for it also held, the council adopted Resolution 2023-3 for additional appropriations to cover engineering and design costs for the town’s extensive wastewater project. Funding is to come out of the town’s ARPA money and revenue from its food and beverage tax.

• The council approved the creation of a safety board for the police department. Tancak brought the consideration stating that one is outlined in the department’s standard operating procedures. The board would be comprised of three council members and two Cloverdale citizens.

With Councilman Scott Stierwalt also present, Town Attorney Richard Shagley and Town Manager Jason Hartman were in attendance at the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Cloverdale Town Council is set for Tuesday, April 11 at 7 p.m. at the Cloverdale Town Hall.