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Contract & Budget Amendment - Town of Wingate Law Enforcement Services
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dorothy Thomas, Sheriff's Office, Public Safety Finance Administrator, 704-283-3578; Jason May, Budget & Grants Management, Director, 704-283-3760
ACTION REQUESTED:
1) Adopt Budget Amendment #3, 2) approve the addition of four (4) full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, and 3) authorize the County Manager to a) negotiate and execute an agreement substantially consistent with this agenda item, b) exercise any renewal or extension term options set forth in the Agreement, and c) terminate the Agreement if deemed in the best interest of the County, each in the County Manager's discretion.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
None.
BACKGROUND:
In early June 2025, Wingate Town officials approached Sheriff Cathey to discuss contracting police services due to ongoing critical staffing shortages in the Wingate Police Department. Periodically, Sheriff's patrol deputies had increasingly been called upon to respond to service calls and cover entire shifts and days for the Police Department, stretching existing resources and leading to delayed response times. This staffing model does not provide adequate police presence in the Town and leaves the Wingate community vulnerable to criminal activity. At Wingate's request, a proposal was developed recommending four (4) full-time deputy sheriffs to provide 24-hour coverage for the Town. The proposed FY2026 contract amount is based on rates set annually by Union County budget and Sheriff's Office finance staff ($130,785.36 per deputy). These recommendations are based on the service model that informs the highly successful municipal contracts in Indian Trail, Weddington, Marvin, Lake Park, and Wesley Chapel. Following a public meeting on July 8 to gather community feedback, the Town Board voted on July 15 to approve the transition to contracted law enforcement services, effective October 1, 2025. The Town will provide office space in the c...
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