Final Update
Eaton County and Delta Township officials have unanimously approved a new Delta Patrol contract, nearly doubling the township's annual payment to $8 million.
- Both governing bodies voted unanimously to approve the financial framework for the contract.
- Delta Township will now pay $8 million annually for sheriff's deputies to patrol the area.
- The county will not directly pay a share of the contract under the new agreement.
The approval comes after months of uncertainty about whether the contract would be renewed as the county faced financial challenges.
WATCH: Eaton County and Delta Township reach agreement on sheriff patrol contract
Delta Township doesn't have its own police department and instead contracts with the Eaton County Sheriff's Office for deputies to patrol the neighborhood.
Eaton County Sheriff Tom Reich expressed relief after the decision.
"Very relieved it was very tense. We've been seeing for months now that there would be no contract but somehow we figured it's needed and Delta worked together. I appreciate the time they spent under this and I appreciate the county's effort. Need to save some deputies, actually 38 of them. They do a great job. I'm very proud of my people and I got the best in the state," Reich said.
With the new contract, Delta Township will nearly double what it previously paid for patrol services.
Delta Township Supervisor Fonda Brewer acknowledged the financial challenges ahead.
"Well, we got work. We really do but we know the value of that service. We're gonna have to work really hard to take a look at our budget in our finances. There's probably gonna be some projects down the road that we may not do, but that hasn't been discussed with the board that's our next step at our next meeting," Brewer said.
The approval came during special meetings held by both governing bodies on Thursday.
WEB EXTRA: County Controller Connie Sobie talks about contract process.
MORE INFO ON NEW DELTA PATROL CONTRACT FRAMEWORK
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UPDATE (3:45 p.m. on Thursday, June 5): The Eaton County Board of Commissioners and Delta Township have approved the financial framework of the Delta Patrol contract.
The two entities will now work out the finer details of the contract and then vote on it to finalize it.
WATCH VIDEO: Delta Township patrol services at risk after Eaton County millage fails
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EATON COUNTY, Mich. — The Eaton County Board of Commissioners is set to vote on the framework of a Delta Patrol contract that would add jobs, but cost the township around $8 million.
The special meeting starts at 2 p.m. The meeting will enter a closed session before discussing the tentative agreement.
You can read the agenda by clicking here.
The failure of the public safety millage put this contract in risk of being completely cut. Officials have said a new contract will look completely different to the current one. This is due to funding issues at the county level.
Recent cuts have affected law enforcement through open positions being cut, but no cuts to staff have been made official yet. Thursday marks the first official discussion on contract negotiations for Delta Patrol.
WATCH: Eaton County cuts vacant positions in prosecutor's, sheriff's offices
LOOK BELOW: MEETING AGENDAS
