Former Toledo mayor Jerry Pratt leads his final meeting as mayor in this December 2015 Chronicle file photo.
Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh is seen in this January 2018 Chronicle file photo.
While it wasn’t an item on the Toledo City Council’s agenda, a letter of intent from Winlock Mayor Don Bradshaw announcing his intention to no longer contract with Toledo police services came up at the city’s Tuesday night meeting.
Jerry Pratt, who was mayor of Toledo for 12 years until 2015, gave his take on the letter during a public comment section.
“I drew up that contract,” Pratt said. “I think he sent you a letter that holds no water.”
Pratt suggested that the council not respond to the letter. Mayor Steve Dobosh and councilors in attendance Tuesday thanked Pratt for his input but did not comment.
Toledo has provided police services under the contract to Winlock since 2015, when Winlock’s police chief retired.
Under the contract, Toledo provides policing to Winlock for $217,000 per year. Winlock’s annual police budget was estimated to be $250,000 for 2015.
Since the contract took effect, Toledo has hired two additional officers, bringing its paid staff to four officers who are able to provide a minimum of 20 hours of patrol work every day, Chief John Brockmueller said.
The department responded twice as often to calls in Winlock in 2017 as it did to Toledo.
However, Bradshaw has said he is not happy with the deal Winlock is getting and wants to restart its own department.
He sent a letter this month to Toledo mayor Steve Dobosh informing him of his intention to do so, but noted the Winlock City Council has not voted on the proposal.
Pratt said he doesn’t believe Bradshaw’s intent to cancel the contract means much without a vote of his council.
Winlock’s next council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday.
