Tekoa seeks to add more patrol hours

The City of Tekoa is considering adding sheriff’s patrol hours stemming from a discussion at the city council meeting Dec. 16.

“The council wants to spend more money for the police force,” said Tekoa Mayor Troy Wilson.

The town now contracts with the sheriff's department for 20 hours of patrols per week at a cost $48,919 in 2020.

The arrangement started in 2009 when the hours were cut by about half to save the city $40,000 during the recession.

“The council would like to see more deputies in town,” said Wilson, who talked briefly last week with Sheriff Brett Myers about what the town's options may be. Myers and Wilson will now set up a another meeting.

The mayor said he will take the information he has to the next Tekoa council meeting Feb. 3.

If the council does decide to add hours, it could be paid for with a budget amendment with a transfer from the town's general fund.

Mike Bogenreif acts as the town's code enforcement officer. He is also an officer on the Liberty Lake police department.