RISON - The Rison City Council unanimously approved renewing the city's annual contract with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Department to provide police protection for the city. Meanwhile, Rison Utilities Director Joe Freyer reported that progress is being made on the improvements to the city's wastewater treatment plant and water system. Sheriff Jack Rodgers was on hand for the meeting held last Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Rison City Hall. All five members at the meeting approved renewing the police contract. Council member Rodney Reed was absent. Those voting in favor were Michael Barnett, Bruce Grubb, Kristy Lowery, Curtis Marks and Cleve Reed.Mayor Charles Roberts said the contract increased by about $600 this year and will cost the city about $140,000. The contract includes having the sheriff's department dedicate two deputies to help handle law enforcement for the city. Councilman Marks asked the sheriff how many deputies he currently has on staff and Rodgers answered eight after one graduates from the law enforcement academy. He said the department still has two deputy openings.Roberts ask Rodgers if he assigned two specific deputies to cover the city or if it was that two positions would be used to cover the city throughout the day? Rodgers answered it was two positions, noting that the county has two deputies on duty at night."I still think it (the contract between the city and sheriff's department) benefits all of us to have this," Rodgers told the mayor and council.Utilities Improvements Freyer gave the city council a slide presentation of some of the work underway on the city's wastewater treatment plan located on Hwy. 79 as well as the progress being made on the new water lines being put down throughout the city.He said the contractor is making progress with the headworks for the treatment facility. The headworks includes the equipment and infrastructure that removes the solids, grit and debris ...
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