The verdict's still out on whether Ketchum will receive $198,000 in federal stimulus money to hire a new police officer. And the wait just keeps running on as Ketchum is pushed further back in line.
In late summer, Ketchum found out that it was one of 13 police agencies in Idaho awarded grants under the Department of Justice's COPS Hiring Recovery Program, which provided funding for 26 new law enforcement officers. About $1 billion was awarded nationally for 4,699 police officers.
The grants cover both salaries and benefits for the officers for three years, but stipulate that the positions be retained by the cities using their own money for a fourth year.
But the city has yet to receive its check because of one hiccup after another.
First, Ketchum was informed—shortly after hearing it had won the grant—that it didn't meet the program's guidelines because it had handed over control of the Ketchum Police Department to the Blaine County Sheriff's Office under a contract to be reviewed every fiscal year.
With the sheriff's office assuming law enforcement responsibilities, the Justice Department was confused as to whether Ketchum's police department exists at all, said City Administrator Gary Marks in September.
The change to Ketchum's police happened July 1, after the city applied for the stimulus money in March. The Justice Department decided to put Ketchum's updated application back through the ringer for review.
Marks said Ketchum was due for an answer when he received a phone call a couple of weeks ago. But instead of being told that Ketchum passed or failed review, he was told that Ketchum's application was thrown back to square one.
Marks said the COPS arm of the Justice Department received a new director, Bernard Melekian, who ordered all open cases to be re-reviewed.
"We're in that black hole," Marks said, "just waiting."
Marks said he's confident the Justice Department will grant Ketchum the money despite the contract with the Sheriff's Office.
"All along, we didn't want to give up control," he said, "and we haven't. Since we intend to directly employ the new officer and manage the grant contract, the city will be in full compliance with grant regulations."
The Hailey Police Department was awarded nearly $200,000 under the COPS Hiring Recovery Program and, in mid-September, used the money to retain a position that was to be eliminated.
Trevon Milliard: tmilliard@mtexpress.com
