By: Donovan W. Mann – donovanm@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – The City of Humboldt is cancelling their contract with the county to provide leadership to the police department.
During the council meeting for the City of Humboldt they held discussion on a resolution to cancel the 28E agreement with Humboldt County. This contract is the agreement to have Sheriff Dean Kruger function as the police administrator for the city’s police force. The plan is for the city to hire their own police chief.
City Administrator Travis Goedken did inform those in attendance that this is not a blind side move by the city and Kruger was informed that this was on the agenda. This has been a topic of discussion for the council for “sometime” according to the city officials. The move to terminate the agreement was also recommended by city staff.
Council Member John Sleiter says that this agreement with the county is over 12 years old. He says when it was first put in place it was only supposed to be a short term arrangement. Sleiter says he’s served on the council for near 20 years and he believes it’s time the city to have its own police chief.
Two council members were absent from the discussions but Sleiter says he’s had discussions with both of them and they seems to be on the same page as him. The city officials also say that Sheriff Kruger is an excellent sheriff but feel it is in the best interest of the city to have their own chief of police.
The council voted unanimously to terminate the 28E agreement with Humboldt County. Per the terms of the agreement the city is required to give 90 days’ notice to the county but Goedken says the plan is to end the contract on December 31 if the country agrees to do so.
The city will be looking to fill the position of police chief soon and allow plenty of time for a transition.