LiasionBadgeJamestown (CSi) The push continues for the City of Jamestown and Stutsman County to implement the State Public Employees Retirement System, (PERS) program for local enforcement.

On Monday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, the James Valley Fraternal Order of Police, Liason, Nellie Degen said, she will appear at the November 2, 2015 Jamestown City Council meeting, and the November 3rd Stutsman County Commission meeting repeating requests to have both political sub-divisions implement the program.

She pointed out that PERS allows officers to make their own contributions so they may retire at an earlier date, as early as age 55, and has been available in North Dakota since 2003.

She added that political subdivisions that have PERS available for local law enforcement is a good recruitment tool, noting that with officers under emotional and physical stress and limitation as they get older officers will benefit from being able to retire at age 55.

She added that PERS for law enforcement, is separate from the PERS mainstream program of public employees.

She said Stutsman County officials recently held a workshop on how the program works, but as of yet has taken no formal action.

At the October 5, 2015 Jamestown City Council meeting, she presented the council with 437 signatures gathered within 24 hours from citizens supporting the PERS program for local law enforcement. At that meeting she asked the city council to amend the 2016 city budget to including funding for law enforcement PERS. She pointed out that the city had not scheduled a public meeting on the issue, pointing out that the city was given information prior to the council meeting.

At the City Council meeting, Mayor Andersen said the city needs to learn more on the issue, and will learn more during a planned webinar.

Ms, Degen said the City Council may amend the already passed 2016 city budget if it so chooses.

Ms. Degen urges community members in favor of implementing the program in Jamestown and Stutsman County to contact Jamestown City Council, and Stutsman County Commission members and, or appear at the upcoming meetings.