SpringfieldNewsSun.com

Mechanicsburg, Ohio — Mechanicsburg police officers have been spared the fate of looking for new jobs.

After reviewing the costs of two proposals and listening to public comments, city officials voted unanimously Wednesday, Sept. 3 to retain their local police force rather than turn the city's law enforcement duties over the Champaign County Sheriff's Office, a debate which has raged in the village for months.

The decision was made after a review of both options showed that the sheriff's proposals would essentially cost the village the same amount as it would to keep their own police force, said city council member Jim Trainer.

The next step will be to hire a full-time police chief for the village police department, Trainer said.

Mark Randall has been serving as interim chief since the retirement of Tim Bostic, and Randall has been doing a good job in the meantime, Trainer said. He said the village has received several applications for chief position, but the applications need further review.

A recent look into the village's payments to the Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation also played into the decision, Trainer said.

Village officials had asked that their financial records be reviewed after they were told they owed the OBWC $141,150 — about $86,000 more than they paid in 2007.

The review showed that the village was reporting their payments the OBWC incorrectly, and that they had overpaid. The village recently received a credit for about $120,000 and a check for $43,000 after the review.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355or msanctis@coxohio.com.