By Bill Grubb

BULLS GAP — Increasing the budget or decreasing the number of hours officers would be working were two suggestions a representative of the Municipal Technical Advisory Service had for the creation of a Bulls Gap Police Department.
    Rex Barton, from MTAS, met with the Bulls Gap Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday to discuss issues associated with reviving a city police department.
    The department was dismantled in 2003 and all equipment, ranging from weapons to two police cruisers, was sold.
    The BMA began discussing the possibility of funding a department in June, with Alderman Charles Johnson presenting a proposal for 112 hours of coverage each week from four part-time officers earning $9 per hour.  An “administrative chief” would work a minimum of 30 hours per week and earn $15,600 annually.   The budget estimates salaries at $60,528 for the department.  The proposed budget estimated total expenditures at $73,528.
    “I see a lot of holes in this budget,” said Barton, who worked in law enforcement before joining MTAS.
    In addition to noting the budget did not include insurance costs or employer contributions for social security and medicare, the consultant questioned whether the town would be able to hire and keep part-time officers at the $9 per hour level.  He also noted officers who have a full-time job will “need to sleep sometime.”
    “You might have some (officers) that are willing to work now, but in six months you will probably be looking for some new officers,” Barton said. “What are you going to do then?   Do you have any idea where are they going to come from?”
    He also said the budget is based on the department receiving a used police vehicle from the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office.
    “That is good for the first time, but I don’t think you can count on getting a car donated every time you need on,” Barton said.  “You also need to take into account if you get an older car you are going to have maintenance costs.”
    The consultant warned the BMA a department providing the level of coverage outlined in the proposal would cost significantly more than projected.   
    “I would say you would need to double your budget,” Barton said.
    He suggested one option would be for the town to consider reducing the scope of coverage, if the BMA continues to pursue a department.
    “Really, with a town this size, you could probably get by with one officer working full-time,” Barton said, suggesting the starting salary for the position would need to be approximately $30,000 to $32,000 plus benefits.
    “I’m not here to throw water on your fire.  I would love to work with you to set up a department,” Barton explained.  “The question you need to ask is how much can the town afford.  If the money isn’t there, then  I just wouldn’t do it.”