Bollinger County Sheriff Casey Graham released a proposal for the City of Marble Hill to consider if it wanted to contract law enforcement services with the Sheriff's Office.

The proposal was presented to the Marble Hill City Council on Monday, Aug. 19.

Graham's proposal outlined the approximate costs associated with offering "comprehensive, professional law enforcement services to the City of Marble Hill."

The proposal calls for allocating four full-time deputies, at $40,000 each per year. The operational costs of fuel, equipment, patrol vehicles, training and insurance was approximately $126,720. Additionally, the dispatch service per year was estimated at $33,280. Graham explained that "this is currently the contract for dispatch services for the City of Marble Hill. With continuing services for the City of Marble Hill, we would still need financial support due to the added number of deputies to Bollinger County Sheriff's Office."

Adding these three amounts together brought the total proposed budget to $320,000.

Next, Graham offered four benefits of Marble Hill contracting with the Sheriff's Office. They included: cost-effective solution, professional expertise, comprehensive services and a community-focused mission.

"Our proposal provides a detailed and transparent budget, ensuring that Marble Hill receives high-quality law enforcement services at a competitive costs," Graham said. "By the Bollinger County Sheriff's Office providing a contracted law enforcement service to the City of Marble Hill, residents will not only receive high quality services, but the city will also save substantial funds to direct in other areas such as water, sewer and roads."

The proposed City of Marble Hill police department budget was $451,415, according to Graham.

His consolidated budget would save the City of Marble Hill an estimated $131,000 in the first year.

The rationale offered by Graham for the benefits of the City of Marble Hill and the Sheriff's Office continued: Deputies are required to complete at least 24 hours of continuing education each year, and the office has developed professional relationships with federal, state and local organizations that provide expert law enforcement to its residents.

"Our proposal includes not only personnel but also operational support and dispatch services, providing a complete law enforcement solution to the City of Marble Hill," Graham said. "Additionally, this proposal would immediately provide multiple more law enforcement officers than what was previously maintained, including the sheriff's office's current full-time detective and a full-time command staff."

Graham added that since maintaining and improving the quality of life of the residents of Bollinger County is a goal of his office, this can be achieved through a proactive community-based policing approach.

"We will accomplish this by providing an atmosphere of interaction between the Sheriff's Office, City of Marble Hill and citizens that will building a co-active environment to enhance the safety and security of our citizens," Graham said.

The proposal was presented as a "strategic opportunity" to enhance local law enforcement, save money and to better serve the community, according to Graham.

"I urge the City Council to consider this proposal and initiate discussions with the Bollinger County Sheriff's Office and Bollinger County Commissioners to explore the feasibility and logistics of this beneficial merger. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss this proposal in further detail and to answer any questions you may have," Graham said.