Providence renews agreement with Cache Sheriff's Office

By Emil Dixon

September 15, 2005 | PROVIDENCE -- The City Council passed a resolution to renew an agreement with the Cache County Sheriff's Office that will maintain the city's current level of police protection through the coming year. The decision came Tuesday evening in a unanimous vote.

Providence residents share police protection with Nibley and Millville, but receive 70 percent of the sheriff deputy's time. However, Councilman Vic Saunders said citizens have expressed concerns that the current level of protection is inadequate.

In response, Mayor Alma Leonhardt said, "There is no way you'll satisfy everyone -- we know there is someone who will sit in front of their house and not be satisfied." However, he added, the new agreement will allow the council to increase police protection after reviewing time commitment reports from the previous year.

The council also passed a resolution to refund Qwest nearly $6,000 of overpaid franchise fees.

"I think it's a crock," said Saunders, adding that Providence residents pay the same amount to support Qwest as Logan and River Heights residents, but don't receive the same services. Services not offered to Providence residents include DSL and telemarketer call screening.

When asked how she felt about passing the resolution, Councilwoman Stacie Gomm said, "We really don't want to, but [legally] we have to.

In other business the council:

-- tabled a resolution to lease a second backhoe for the city, pending the review of additional information on current backhoe use and other leasing options. If the resolution is passed the city will lease a new Case backhoe for $374 a month, giving workers 300 hours of use a year.

-- tabled a resolution to pay $7,000 plus an additional $3,000 for engineering and redesign services, pending clarification of the itemized bill.

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