Morristown considers reducing patrols

The City of Morristown is looking at reducing the hours that the Rice County Sheriff’s Office patrols the city.

At the May 5 council meeting, Morristown Mayor Tim Flaten noted that the contract with the sheriff’s department expires in a year. Discussion on renewing the contract is starting now to accommodate the six-month notice required for any changes to the contract.

From the meeting, the council decided to hold a meeting with Rice County Sheriff Jesse Thomas, Rice County Commissioner Charlie Peters, and Rice County Administrator Sara Folsted to express concerns and explore contract options ahead of making a decision.

Council members Joe Caldwell and Anna Nusbaum, as well as City Administrator Ellen Judd held the meeting with the Rice County officials.

The results of that meeting were reviewed at Morristown’s regular meeting on June 2.

The sheriff’s office is currently contracted to patrol Morristown for 40 hours per week.

Flaten said he would like to see a cost of 20 hours a week, reducing the amount of time the sheriff patrols the city by half.

“My opinion is that Rice County really doesn’t want to be here,” Caldwell said. “They’re not begging for more work. I just didn’t get a real fuzzy feeling from Jesse.”

The council had considered doing away with the contract altogether, which would see the sheriff’s office only come to Morristown for required calls.

“Perception was brought up,” Nusbaum said. “That they’re not doing a whole lot. And they...

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