More than 70-million dollars is spent annually across Sangamon County for law enforcement. In its final report today (Friday), Citizens’ Efficiency Commission member Bob Gray says public safety county-wide could be streamlined.
“Various police departments work together in many, many ways but, there are still a number of ways they could work together like case work, and background work. That would save money for all of them” Gray says.
A previous recommendation to form a metropolitan police force combining the Sheriff’s Department and the Springfield Police Department didn’t seem to garner much support from either the city or the county administrations.
Commission member Karen Hasara acknowledges change is difficult but the dozens of taxing bodies in the county need to pool resources where they can.
Established by the Sangamon County Board in 2010, the unpaid commission members also made recommendations to consolidate several functions performed by different jurisdictions including tax collection and purchasing. A referendum will be placed on the March ballot to decide whether to continue the work of commission.