The Bourbon Town Council convened on Tuesday, January 8 for their regular monthly meeting. Board president P.J. Hanley had informed the council members that he would be out of the country and would be unable to attend. The meeting was conducted by Vice-President Larry Wattenbarger. The Council had a reorganization meeting in December to elect officers.
Police Chief Bill Martin presented his year-end report along with a breakdown of the savings enjoyed by utilizing reserves and part-time officers to cover shifts. Martin said, “In 2018, the Bourbon Reserves covered 42 shifts. This is a total of 336 hours. This saved the Bourbon Police Department $8,507.52.”
Martin said the reserves and part-time officers along with full time officers provide 24 hour 7days a week police coverage for the town.
Martin explained that if a reserves officer is not available, then they contact a Bourbon part-timer officer to cover the shift. Martin said the part-time officers had covered 41 shifts totaling 328 hours. He said it saved the Police Department Salary fund $334.97.
Martin went on to explain that they are down to six reserves officers; however, he had applications from two others and requested that they be brought into the reserves. Additionally, he requested the hire of an additional part-time officer. The council approved both requests.
According to Martin’s report, there were a total of 9,407 daily log entries in 2018 and logged 45,602 miles traveled on patrols and other duties.
Carol Anders Correspondent
