Niles finds money to recall two furloughed cops

By Jordan Cohen

news@vindy.com

NILES

Two laid-off police officers will be brought back on duty, the first as early as the end of this month, thanks to some creative thinking by Capt. Jay Holland, acting police chief, and an offer of help from the Niles schools.

Three police officers and three firefighters were furloughed in February due to a deficit in the city’s general fund that currently totals $130,000. The earliest they were expected to be recalled would have been the end of August when the city would begin receiving revenue from a voter-approved increase in the city income tax.

But that changed Monday when Holland told a meeting of council’s safety and finance committees the police department’s OVI (operating a vehicle while impaired) fund can be used to pay for the recall of one of the officers. The fund, established from fines of alcohol- or drug-impaired drivers, currently amounts to $150,000.

“We’re going to use the OVI fund to pay for two months for the first officer and then he’ll be paid by the general fund,” Holland said. The acting chief estimated the amount out of the OVI funds at $14,000.

Holland said he and city Auditor Giovanne Merlo worked on the proposal, which was approved by the law director and one of its state-appointed fiscal supervisors. The supervisors, who are state auditors, have been reviewing the status of the city’s budget since Niles was declared in fiscal emergency October 2014.

The acting chief said the OVI fund had remained untouched for many years until this year when it was used to help to obtain a grant to purchase bullet-proof vests.

“I don’t know why the previous administration didn’t use it,” Holland said.

Councilman Barry Steffey, D-4th, finance committee chairman, says the first recalled officer will be back on the streets before the end of this month.

“The streets of Niles will be safer come May 29,” Steffey said. “A person is being brought back to protect the citizens.”

Holland said the recalled officer will work the midnight turn when most of the OVIs tend to occur.

“We have to use the fund in this way,” said Holland who had researched state law before making his recommendation. “We can’t use it to simply bring back an officer for other duties.”

The second recall is expected to be in August for the Niles schools resource officer who was among the layoff casualties. He is expected to return with the start of the new semester in August. The schools traditionally pay his salary and benefits for nine months, which amounts to 75 percent. The city’s general fund pays the officer when schools are not in session.

Holland said he expects the OVI fund to help cover the second recall.

Councilman Frank Pezzano, D-1st, safety committee chairman, praised the work of the chief and the auditor.

“Hats off to Capt. Holland and Mr. Merlo for making sure everything was covered before they announced it,” Pezzano said. “It’s a positive thing.”

Pezzano expects council to vote and approve the funding at its next regular meeting June 1.