Residents gathered at Belmond City Hall Thursday night to discuss the future of the city’s police department after three of the five officers resigned, leaving only one certified officer and one uncertified officer on duty.
County deputies offered as a backup
Wright County Sheriff Jason Schluttenhofer said his office has been filling Belmond police shifts for about a month, and Clarion police have also assisted, though no formal agreement exists. City Manager Cody Nicholas outlined two options: rebuild the Belmond Police Department or enter a five‑year agreement with the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.
Under the proposed contract, four county deputies would be assigned to Belmond, working four days on and four days off, with two covering day shifts and two covering nights. “Their sole responsibility is the city of Belmond,” Schluttenhofer told residents, adding that deputies could be called to other areas for significant incidents that require backup.
Budget pressures intensify
The city’s current police budget stands at $572,371. The sheriff’s contract would cost roughly $511,000 in the first year and rise to about $575,000 by the fifth year, while Belmond would still be responsible for replacement vehicles. Nicholas said the contract could provide a more predictable cost while preserving 24‑hour coverage.
State‑wide, Iowa’s new property‑tax law (Senate File 2472), signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, caps most growth in city general‑fund revenue at 2 % per year. General funds pay for services such as police, fire, libraries, parks and city government. The law allows exceptions for new construction, debt service, insurance and employee benefits. Belmond’s general fund was already projected to decline by about $90,000 before the cap takes effect.
Belmond’s FY 2026‑27 budget lists $711,109 in planned public‑safety spending, down from a re‑estimated $748,249 the previous year. The budget, approved in April, predates the new tax limit.
Former chief cites pay and benefits concerns
Former police chief Dario Gamino resigned on Aug. 2 to become a patrol officer elsewhere, citing officer pay and rising health‑insurance costs that made retention difficult. He also noted that city leaders had discussed reducing the department from five officers to four for budget reasons.
During the town hall, a former Belmond police official suggested the departures stemmed from management and political concerns. Nicholas rejected claims of micromanagement, saying staff were allowed to do their jobs.
Public safety questions from residents
Attendees asked about response times, coverage during vacations and sick leave, and whether deputies would maintain a visible presence at Belmond‑Klemme schools, Iowa Specialty Hospital and local businesses. One resident emphasized the need for an officer or deputy at school arrival and dismissal to protect traffic and pedestrians.
Other residents expressed support for the sheriff’s proposal, citing positive experiences with county law enforcement in other Iowa communities. Some asked whether the city could later recreate its own police department if the contract proved unsatisfactory. City and county officials said that option remains open.
Similar decisions elsewhere in Iowa
Belmond is not alone. In Northwood, Worth County deputies had provided dedicated law enforcement under a 28E agreement since 2013. Worth County supervisors voted to end that agreement in 2026, forcing Northwood officials to develop a new plan and raising concerns about maintaining 24‑hour coverage.
Iowa law permits cities and counties to enter into 28E agreements for government services, specifying the services, supervisory relationship and compensation.
Belmond’s proposed agreement has not yet been approved. The city council will discuss the issue on Tuesday, Sept. 8, and hopes to have an agreement settled by the end of September.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
