Councilman John Coyne brought up the issue of police department personel taking vehicles home on Monday night.

Two weeks ago the council debated the issue of allowing Springville Police Department personel to take patrol cars home if they live beyond the 10 mile limit, but no action was taken to change it.

SPD has already been asked to trim 20 percent out of its budget so far this year.

There are three officers that do not take patrol cars home and SPD is already on a tight budget, having four officers on duty during the day and two at night.

 Two officers live 17 miles from the city limits and one lives 32 miles out.

Coyne suggested a 20 mile limit be put into effect to allow more officers access to their vehicles. “With the shifts being squeexed together, if they had an emergency, I’d like to see them get there [quickly.]”

There are extra cars available, the council was informed. Some of those cars are older models and Coyne suggested that if the council sees fit at its next meeting, to allow the oficers to take the older cars home.

Councilman Wayne Tucker said that it should be taken into consideration that other city workers do not take vehicles home and that anyone who takes a vehicle home would have to claim that on their taxes.

The trimming of 20 percent of the budget should continue to be looked at Councilmen Herbert Toles and David Jones both said.

Councilman Brian Skinner said that 20 miles become 40 once you add in a round trip.

The issue of not having a supervisor on duty on the night shift was also addressed. City Attorney James Hill informed the council that the city could open itself up to a claim of negligent supervision if something should occur when a supervisor was not available during a shift. Two weeks ago SPD Chief Greg Charles asked the council to consider promoting officers  who couldserve as supervisors, even if they were not compensated in their paycheck.

The council will again look at the issues at its next meeting, which has been rescheduled until July 8 at 6 p.m. due to the Fourth of July Holliday.