CLAY, N.Y. – The town of Clay and its police benevolent association agree on one thing -- the police department is one of the most efficient in the county. Why then, the PBA asks, is a merger with the county sheriff's department necessary?
"When you're the cheapest and according to Mr. Rowley, we're the most efficient and cost effective," said Fred Corey of the Clay PBA.
The PBA calculates its current per capita expenditures are less than a dime a day. The town says merging with the sheriff's department would save more money. About $1.3 million the first year.
With just days left before a public vote, the debate over a police merger in the Town of Clay continues. The Police Benevolent Association came forward Tuesday to clarify what it calls "rhetoric" being passed on by the town. Our Nneka Nwosu has more.
Without the merger, the town says taxes could increase.
"If this referendum fails, make no mistake, taxes will begin to escalate substantially in the town of Clay because we cannot operate at a 16 member force," said Clay Town Supervisor Jim Rowley.
But the PBA argues a merger with the sheriff's department could end up costing more money in the end.
"It costs nearly three times as much to run the sheriff's office per person than it does for the Clay Police Department. Based upon that, inevitably it's going to cost more," said Corey.
The only savings, according to the PBA, would be the decreased number of cars on patrols. The supervisor says that will not happen.
"There's going to be at least 13 officers going over there so again, it's just public relations spin from their perspective," said Rowley.
The debate between the town and the police benevolent association will come to an end soon when residents vote on the proposed merger Monday.