VCpolicedeptValley City  (CSi) Valley City officials have approved the language in a petition that allows a sponsoring committee to gather signatures to disband the Valley City Police Department.

City Auditor Avis Richter says the sponsoring committee needs to gather 465 valid signatures from Valley City residents before the proposed initiated city ordinance petition can be presented to the city commission for their approval to set up a citywide vote.

If the petition signatures are certified and approved by the City Commission, Valley City residents would vote to approve, or turn down, establishing a city Ordinance to revert the responsibilities of the Valley City Police Department to the Barnes County Sheriff.

The petition sponsoring committee includes Tony Drake, Lloyd Nelson and Bob Drake,

The city stopped its search for a new police chief due to the unknown outcome of this proposed petition.

Police Chief Fred Thompson will remain on the job until further notice. Last year he said he would resign to spend more time with his family in Nevada.