EDDYVILLE — The Eddyville Police Department may close soon as the city council hopes to begin contracting for law enforcement services through the Wapello and Mahaska County sheriff’s departments.

With the announcement that part-time Police Chief Charles Van Toorn will retire later this month, the council began looking into options for patrolling the city. The city has used a combination of services from Van Toorn and Mahaska County.

“I think Charles Van Toorn did some nice work and we are going to miss that,” said Councilman Dwight Lobberecht.

He presented proposals from the two sheriff’s departments and said that the city would spend $41,000 out of the general fund for about 30 hours per week of patrol time plus calls for service or 9-1-1 calls. Benefits such as insurance, FICA and IPERS are to come out of the Trust and Agency Fund.

“Some of the pluses are that now we will have like 18 deputies to take care of our needs,” Lobberecht said, adding that when an officer is at court, on vacation or out sick, there will be other officers available.

“You’ll get just as good response time from the county as you will a local officer,” added Mayor John Johnston.

Lobberecht told the council that the city would save a considerable amount by no longer paying for vehicles, fuel, training officers, etc. However, office space will be provided for contracted officers.

The issue came to light at the council meeting this week as the proposed city budget was presented. The change in law enforcement services will result in a decreased cost to the city. The city hopes to use the difference for debt reduction, a 4.9 percent raise for employees and an estimated three-cent decrease per $1,000 in assessed valuation on regular property taxes.

The proposed budget will go to public hearing on March.

Sewer improvements

In a separate matter, the council reviewed a proposal to improve the city sewer system at a cost of about $3.4 million. Proposed improvements include storm water system improvements, pump replacement, pipe repairs, thirty to forty blocks of sanitary sewer repair/replacement and lagoon improvements.

The city is applying for a Hazard Mitigation Grant and an emergency Community Development Block Grant to pay for the improvements. If those grants are approved, those funds will cover most of the cost of the project. However, some of the cost will passed on to residents with a $5-$7 per month increase in sewer rates.

In other business, the council: