bobdrake1Valley City (CSi) Another petition has been submitted to Valley City, and if the language is approved it would allow a sponsoring committee to gather signatures to ask Valley City voters to approve setting up an ordinance, if approved by voters, would put the Valley City Police Department under the Barnes County Sheriff’s Office.

City Auditor, Avis Richter will review the petition language and respond to the petitioners, Bob Drake, Tony Drake, and Lloyd Nelson of Valley City.

If approved, the members would then gather the necessary signatures to place the measure on a citywide ballot.

Valley City Administrator David Schlelkoph says the city stopped its search for a new police chief due pending the petition outcome.

Schelkoph says Police Chief Fred Thompson has agreed to remain as chief until further notice.

Last year Thompson said he was resigning to spend more time with his family in Nevada.

At the January 5, 2016 City Commission meeting, commissioners voted to create a committee to research the feasibility of eliminating the Valley City Police Department and contracting law enforcement services from the County sheriff.

A motion was made to form a committee of no more than seven members with research of no more than 3 months. Research will include how the action would impact the city budget.

Committee members will possibly be comprised of VCPD Barnes County Sheriff’s Office, VCSU and accountants.

Barnes County will wait until a decision is made, possibly a vote of the people, and defer to the choice that’s made.