City council members Jan Cubbage, Louise Kenny, Anita Williams and Vice Mayor Valerie Porter-Hanchar and Mayor Bill White, thanked the presenter, Juliane Mendonca, and her group for doing a good job. We look forward to continuing to engage citizens to ensure that the city council hears the voices and executes decisions in accordance with the will of the people of Dunnellon, according to a packet given to the Star-Banner from the group.
What to do about the police station?
In other city news: For the second time in a week, city officials heard from Robert Brady, an engineer. He discussed the cost on converting a building owned by the city into a police station, and the prospect of fixing the current police building.
Toward the end of the meeting, when it was time for councilors to make their reports, White told the council that the city has a $350,000, 6,000-square-foot property not being used, a police building that has mold problems and needs repair, and a police chief who s eager for a resolution. The problem is not going to go away, White told councilors. He said he was wiling to call a special meeting to discuss the issue, and said he did not want to adjourn Monday night without resolving the problem.
With that, Hanchar made a motion to revisit the issue. This time, Kenny and Cubbage voted yes. The measure passed unanimously.
Dunnellon officials to consider 2 ideas for new police building, community center
DUNNELLON Dunnellon City Clerk Amanda Roberts told Dunnellon city councilors at their workshop meeting earlier this week that two companies have met their criteria to review a church building to determine the cost of converting it into a police department that could also be used as a community center.
The two companies are Partain Architecture and David P. King Jr. & Associates.
City officials have budgeted $56,000 for the project. A decision on whether or not councilors will decide on which company to choose will be made April 12.
Souls Harbor First Pentecostal Church of Dunnellon was purchased in 2020 by the previous city council that it may one day house the police department. The present building occupied by the police department needs repairs, Police Chief Mike McQuaig said.
Sheriff can cover Dunnellon, but it will cost at least $1M per year
DUNNELLON Sheriff Billy Woods told Dunnellon city councilors that if his agency provides police services for the city, Dunnellon would have to pay at least $1 million per year.
The idea of the sheriff s office taking over for the city police department arose when Police Chief Mike McQuaig told city councilors that he wants a new building. City officials believe that before taking on that request, then all options for police service need to be explored.
Six years ago, a similar debate ended with the police department remaining intact.
Dunnellon pauses search for new city administrator
DUNNELLON City Council members have decided to temporarily delay their search for a new city administrator.
Instead, at Monday night s meeting, city officials said the best course of action is to table the issue until their next gathering, scheduled for February.
Unlike other Marion County governments – the cities of Ocala and Belleview and county commission – that meet twice a month, Dunnellon city councilors only get together once a month. (They also gather once a month for a workshop.)
Police Chief Mike McQuaig, presently pulling double duty as chief and city administrator, told councilors he has not yet put together a salary plan for the position.