Moose Lake Council mulls cutting police

The city of Moose Lake is weighing a proposal that would eliminate its police department in favor of using the Carlton County Sheriff's Office to conduct the city's policing.

The Carlton County proposal would staff the city with four dedicated deputies along with a half-time clerical position at a cost of $574,220.

"This is not a decision that the city council takes lightly," city administrator Ellissa Owens said.

During a tense Nov. 8 city council meeting, councilors and Owens described being put in a difficult position to have to consider alternatives, as the proposed $898,748 policing budget for 2024 would amount to 87 percent of the city's $1.03 million tax levy.

"This department is getting close to the total number of taxes we bring in," mayor Ted Shaw said.

The proposed policing budget figure is not yet firm, as the city is currently in negotiations with the police union.

"The council will be making some real tough decisions here in the next two months," Shaw added at the November meeting.

The county's proposal does not include $120,000 worth of health insurance being paid out annually as the result of former officers retiring early due to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Current and former police officers in attendance at the November meeting railed against the proposed change.

"As the former chief, I would absolutely hate to see the police department go," said Darren Juntunen, who retired this summer.

Juntunen doubted the city would get the same coverage "for that much less."

Currently short-staffed, the city's police department has been forced to go without coverage at times, interim chief Chad Pattison said.

"Undesirables are picking up on the fact," Pattison said, while also doubting the county could provide better coverage. "I don't see how they can have four they can send down here."

Pattison speculated the police department is at least 100 years old. He also argued that being on the "outlying" southern portion of the county would hamper coverage.

Sheriff Kelly Lake told the Moose Lake Star-Gazette last month that additional deputies would need to be added to serve the city. She said they'd be dedicated to the city and get to know its rhythms and people in the same way a dedicated Carlton County deputy does in Thomson Township.

Officer Chad Walsh called on the city to make cuts from its administration or public works budgets, which are proposed for 2024 at $336,800 and $439,050, respectively.

"Are we looking at contracting any other departments other than the police department?" Walsh said. "Are we looking at cutting services anywhere else other than on the backs of us?"

In a statement to the Star-Gazette last month, the city said, "removal of funds from other departments supported by the general fund is not a balanced strategic plan ... the Moose Lake city council wants to ensure a smooth and dependable operation of all departments."

Walsh demanded further answers, saying officers and their families couldn't go for months in limbo.

Shaw tried to control the xtempers in council chambers, saying it wasn't fair to make accusations.

"We're not after defunding the police and different stuff I've heard rumors going around," Shaw said. "We're trying to find a way to fund the police in a way we have 24/7 coverage, but as reasonable as we can."

"There are attempts to make it personal," Owens added. "It's not."

The Moose Lake population is 2,789, swelling in the summertime when the campground fills and visitors converge on the destination town.

"The city is in a very difficult situation here," councilor Walter Lower III said, noting how the city's street infrastructure is overdue for costly repairs. "What we're trying to do is find out what is best for taxpayers, so we can cover all these issues."

Lower noted sewer and water lines in need of replacement throughout the city, and said it may take generations to complete some of the necessary tasks.

"We all lose sleep over here," he said of the council.

Because negotiations are ongoing with the city's police officers, Owens declined to speculate on a timeline for a resolution.

"The city council has continued to strategize towards the safest and most economical means of providing law enforcement services for the community," she told the Pine Knot. "The city is making progress towards gathering as much information as possible for the council to reach an informed decision."

The city council meets again at 4 p.m. Dec. 13.