By Kurt Menk
Editor
The Arlington City Council, during its regular meeting on Monday night, Aug. 4, unanimously approved a motion to table any action on the formation of a three-person full-time police department. The City Council will address the same issue after a budget meeting which is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 2.
City Council members James Jaszewski, Jennifer Nuesse, Curt Reetz, Jason Ruehling and Galen Wills all voted in favor of the motion.
The Arlington Police Department currently has two full-time officers and a few part-time officers. At the present time, however, full-time police officer Bruce Rovinsky is on a medical leave.
The City Council discussed the same issue three years ago, according to City Administrator Liza Donabauer. At that time, the additional cost to go from a two-person to three-person police department was approximately $31,000.
At the present time, the additional cost to go from a two-person to three-person police department could be as high as approximately $43,000, according to Donabauer.
Prior to the motion to table, Mayor Jim Kreft said the City Council could always start the search for a third officer now and have the ability to shut down the process if the financial number did not fit into the budget.

See the full story in the Aug. 7 print edition of the Arlington Enterprise.