INDIAN TRAIL, NC (WBTV) -
The Town of Indian Trail has officially renewed its contract with the Union County Sheriff's Office.
The decision comes after a heated debate that turned into a shouting match between town officials, residents, and deputies.
Some people wanted the town to start its own police force. Town officials were negotiating the contract with the Sheriff's Office, hoping for more control over how and where the Sheriff's Office spends its money.
That idea didn't sit well with sheriff Cathey, "They're actually in this contract, basically saying I give up some of the constitutional rights of my office of the Sheriff and turn it over to the city of Indian Trail and that's not going to happen.
Town officials wanted the contract to include a cap on spending for certain items, a breakdown of how Indian Trail deputies service non-paying towns, input in some hiring decisions, and a refund of unused funds.
At the meeting, those who supported keeping the contract with the Sheriff's Office said it costs less to keep the current plan in place than to start a new department from scratch.
When Town Council put it to a vote – it came out as a tie, leaving Mayor Michael Alvarez to cast the deciding vote.
The Mayor voted against a new department and for staying with the Sheriff's Office. A motion to continue the study for a new police department was tabled.
After that intense meeting, the Sheriff's Office and Town officials continued their negotiations, and officially came to an agreement.
Council Member David Waddell sent the following statement to WBTV:
This evening the Town Council met and voted 3-0 to approve the proposed contract with the Sheriff's Office with Council Members Cohn, King and Waddell attending. There has been a massive outcry of support from people in our Town to continue our relationship with the Sheriff's Office. It is my hope that with the approval of this contract, we can put the issue to rest and move on to other matters of town business.
There's no word yet whether the contract was renegotiated or kept as-is.
Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved.
