Holts Summit and New Bloomfield negotiate extending policing contract

Negotiations are underway for the Holts Summit Police Department to continue servicing New Bloomfield in 2019.

Holts Summit Assistant Police Chief Shannon Jeffries said a new contract has been approved by Holts Summit City Council and now it’s “in the hands of the city of New Bloomfield.”

Jeffries said the contract must be renewed by Jan. 1 for Holts Summit to continue its 24-hour police services in New Bloomfield.

“It appears they are working rather aggressively trying to get something up for a vote,” he said.

Holts Summit began extending its police services in New Bloomfield about six months ago and Jeffries said the police department has received positive feedback.

“We’ve been doing studies on it and it has not taxed or hurt the Holts Summit Police Department,” he said. “It’s a little bit of an outstretch for us but for such a close neighboring community, when all of this started, all we wanted to do was help.”

The first agreement cost New Bloomfield $20,000, however Jeffries said he does not know the exact cost to extend the deal.