Talks continuing for Wauneta-based deputy

    Discussions are continuing over whether to have a Chase County sheriff’s deputy based in Wauneta, but village trustees have to decide on a couple of things: whether they want one and if so, how much they’re willing to pay.
    Deputy Duncan Einspahr met with the village board during its regular meeting Oct. 8 to continue the discussion, which started at the September meeting when Einspahr first floated the idea.
    At that meeting, Einspahr suggested that if a deputy were to be based in Wauneta, which would mean living here,the hours in the contract should be increased from 80 a month to 120 and the hourly rate the village pays the county be hiked from $22.90 to $24, meaning an annual cost of $34,560.
    Village Board President Tony Cribelli told Einspahr at this month’s meeting that trustees really hadn’t heard any comments about the issue so far. He said Sheriff Kevin Mueller should meet with the board to further discuss the issue and find out what having a deputy here would cost the village.
    Some on the board were unconvinced that it’s even necessary.
    “I’m reluctant to pay more than we’re paying now,” Trustee Page Johnston said, since it appears the current contract is meeting the village’s policing needs.
    “Personally, I’ve been satisfied with it,” he said. “My inclination would be to stay where it’s at.” He added that he simply doesn’t see the benefit of what would amount to a $10,000 to
$20,000 hike in the cost to the village.

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