OLATHE — Olathe's town hall was packed Monday evening as Mayor Don Perkins' probe into a law enforcement services contract with the Montrose County Sheriff's Office was on the public's mind.
Olathe residents packed the boardroom and many had to stand outside the doors.
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"(Olathe police) is one of the departments of the town. It is a very large budget item," Perkins said.
The board is in the process of compiling questions for Dunlap so they can figure out if it would help with the budget.
"There are questions on both sides that need to come out and be answered before we dive into anything," said Dunlap, who showed for the regular meeting.
Olathe residents had several comments and questions.
"Every time I go through town I see a police car," said Olathe resident Connie Blair. "If we have no presence here what is that going to show in the community? ... Is the Montrose police department going to be down here? Is their presence going to be in Olathe when you need them?"
Dunlap said he has to figure out if he's able to supply 24-hour service and hire deputies to maintain visibility.
Olathe property owner Carl Bollinger said he's happy with the local law enforcement and showed concerns.
"Anytime you go from local control to regional control you are going to lose some of your authority," Bollinger said.
Dunlap also asked if the town wanted officers to enforce town ordinances, which they don't do in Naturita or Nucla. He said the move could affect his department in such areas as investigation and records, as that would all go through the sheriff's department.
"I think we are just at the beginning stage of the questions of the citizens to the board members," Perkins said. He asked citizens to compile questions and bring them in writing to board members so that they can ask Dunlap.
Olathe resident, part-time police officer and business owner Steve Gottlieb said he's talked to both Perkins and Town Administrator Scott Harold on several issues.
"They have some good ideas to move forward in this town. ... Checking numbers, budget, departments, I feel the board needs to give town administrator Harold the opportunity to basically do what you hired him to do, to oversee the town," he said.
Perkins said the idea arose because it was something that "needed to be asked." He said all the town's departments are being looked at in regards to their budgets.
Resident John Murray agreed the town should be run like a business and options like this should be looked into.
Board member Dan Kelso said the conversation should have started with the local department and police chief Ric Hawk to see if something could be done with the budget.
After public comment, the board continued with the regular meeting.
Contact Kati O'Hare via e-mail at katio@montrosepress.com
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