Pubdate: Fri, 14 Feb 2014
Source: Port Clinton News Herald (OH)
Copyright: 2014 News Herald
Contact: http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3544
Author: Catharine Hadley

REQUESTED DRUG TASK FORCE CONTRIBUTION QUESTIONED

PORT CLINTON - In a Jan. 22 letter to Port Clinton City Council,
Ottawa County Prosecutor Mark Mulligan urged members of council to
give more to the drug task force in 2014 than the $10,000 that had
been budgeted. In the past, the city has contributed $35,000 of the
Ottawa County Drug Task Force's annual budget of about $275,000.

Port Clinton Mayor Vince Leone provided a copy of a letter to township
trustees and village officials, which he said was his response to
Mulligan's request - which showed a majority of the cases were worked
within the city limits.

In that Jan. 21 letter provided by the mayor, the prosecutor suggested
donations coordinated with the population in the tax base: $750 for
one to 1,000 people, $1,250 for 1,001 to 1,500 people, $1,750 for
1,501 to 2,000 people, $2,250 for 2,001 to 2,500 people, $2,750 for
2,501 to 3,000 people and $3,250 for more than 3,001 people.

When asked about the apparent discrepancy, Mulligan said the city's
normal contribution dates from about 2000. "The city had a police
officer assigned to the drug task force, so there were three members
of the team, two from the county and one from the city," he said.

The city paid about $70,000 for that officer's wages and benefits,
according to the prosecutor. When that member became employed by the
county and not the city, the city contributed half that amount - $35,000.

"Over the years, the $35,000 stayed the same, despite rising benefits
and salaries," Mulligan said. "Port Clinton has enjoyed the benefits
of having that third officer on the drug task force for a fraction of
the cost, 30 or 40 percent of the cost of what they would have been
supplying."

He wants to continue the relationship, especially light of an
increasing problem with heroin in Ottawa County. "I would think that
the city and city council would be happy to continue their support of
the drug task force," the prosecutor said. "We look forward to working
with the city."
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D