(12/13/12) - Saginaw city council voted to further explore a plan to contract the police department with the sheriff department.
They voted on it at a special meeting Thursday night.
It's an idea they've been exploring for a while, but now they are going to move forward and develop a plan.
The city council will still need to approve or deny that plan.
It's been a hotly debated topic during recent budget discussions.
That meeting started at 6:30 and they didn't take a final vote until after 11 p.m.
The main two topics were finances and public safety.
City leaders predict a deficit of more than $3 million.
In August, Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel handed over a proposal at the request of the city. It outlined the cost of a policing contract with Saginaw.
His original proposal was 103 full-time, sworn officers. Assistant City manager for public safety Phil Ludos had a counter offer of 80.
Federspiel told the city "no" to a proposed policing contract.
He said he's not saying "no" to helping the city - he's saying no to policing the city when there's already qualified people to do the job.
The mayor says time is ticking and the council needs to decide what will work for Saginaw.
"We're still at a point where we can't go a whole lot further. We need to decide as a council is that going to be the best approach for us. Is that going to save us enough money in the long term and is it going to deliver us the service that we need delivered," Branch said.
Sunday, May 19 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-05-20 03:32:11 GMT
(05/19/2013) - Their goal is saving lives in the future and today they were put to the test.These young cadets are working on a search and rescue training mission called "Operation Wolverine". The cadets
(05/19/2013) - Their goal is saving lives in the future and today they were put to the test.These young cadets are working on a search and rescue training mission called "Operation Wolverine". The cadets
Sunday, May 19 2013 11:27 PM EDT2013-05-20 03:27:53 GMT
(05/19/2013) - We are still months away from Back to The Bricks. But, one local organization is starting early. More than 300 vehicles were on display at Baker College's Transportation Technology facility
(05/19/2013) - We are still months away from Back to The Bricks. But, one local organization is starting early. More than 300 vehicles were on display at Baker College's Transportation Technology facility
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:30 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:30:03 GMT
(05-19-2013) - Three women in Isabella County had quite the scare Saturday morning when a man broke into their home. It happened in Gilmore Township. The Sheriff says the woman, her teenage daughter,
(05/19/13) - Three women in Isabella County had quite the scare Saturday morning when a man broke into their home.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:03 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:03:06 GMT
(05/18/2013) The financial hurricane that battered Buena Vista schools is over, at least for now. On Monday, students go back to class to complete the school year. But, there is another problem on the
(05/18/2013) The financial hurricane that battered Buena Vista schools is over, at least for now. On Monday, students go back to class to complete the school year. But, there is another problem on the
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:51 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:51:03 GMT
(05/18/2013) - A traffic headache for some drivers is over.The Michigan State Bomb Squad has given the all clear after a suspicious package is found.Police were called to the Speedway gas station on Bristol
(05/18/2013) - A traffic headache for some drivers is over.The Michigan State Bomb Squad has given the all clear after a suspicious package is found.Police were called to the Speedway gas station on Bristol
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:46 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:46:19 GMT
(05/18/2013) - If you were in Downtown Flint today, you may have been thinking - what the heck is going on.It was the first ever Ingenuity Fair in downtown Flint.It brings together technology with art.The
(05/18/2013) - If you were in Downtown Flint today, you may have been thinking - what the heck is going on.It was the first ever Ingenuity Fair in downtown Flint.It brings together technology with art.The
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:42:30 GMT
(05/18/2013) - Black Ties, Sparkly gowns, and Tennis Shoes?A weird combination, but it worked on Saturday for a good cause.Guests walked down the red carpet at Grand Blanc Motorcars in their tux and gowns
(05/18/2013) - Black Ties, Sparkly gowns, and Tennis Shoes?A weird combination, but it worked on Saturday for a good cause.Guests walked down the red carpet at Grand Blanc Motorcars in their tux and gowns
