Staff report

HUBBARD TOWNSHIP– A performance audit of the township police department was conducted by the state earlier this week, but the results may not be known until spring.

The audit analyzed the department to see where it stands financially. The report will become public record in about three months, according to fiscal officer Sue Goterba.

The township began considering switching over to the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office over the summer after an additional police levy failed in November 2018. Negotiations began in late October between the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 85 and the township trustees — with both sides offering up ways to save money and neither side budging to come to an agreement.

Despite rejecting a fact-finder’s report, the trustees have hired all of the police officers and Chief Todd Coonce back 2020.

Township officials have stated for months that they wanted to have a performance audit done but couldn’t afford it as they were originally quoted $50,000.

The state picked up the cost of the audit because of the financial state of the township, Goterba said.

Regardless of what the audit shows, a conciliator is being brought in to determine the police contract. A hearing date has yet to be set.

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