Latest news with #DunnellonCityCouncil
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Dunnellon council says yes to the sheriff providing law enforcement services
DUNNELLON — On April 15, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to accept an agreement for the Marion County Sheriff's Office to provide law enforcement services to the city of Dunnellon. On April 16, the Dunnellon City Council voted 5-0 to accept the proposal. Barring any unforeseen hiccups, the contract becomes effective May 13. This means sheriff's Lt. Julie Vowinkel, the Dunnellon district commander for the sheriff's office, is in charge of six deputies patrolling the city's approximately 7.4 square miles and serving its nearly 2,000 residents. While the agreement doesn't kick in until May 13, deputies already have been doing the job for a little more than a week. Dunnellon Police Department officers have been on paid leave since April 14. They will continue to get their pay until May 13. Vowinkel has acted as the city's interim chief since February, pursuant to the Agreement for Temporary Assumption of Law Enforcement Oversight and Assignment of Law Enforcement Executive, which was signed by the sheriff and the mayor. The switch from Dunnellon officers to sheriff's deputies was made because city officials felt the police department has had too many problems through the years and it was time for a change. With that issue behind them, the next step for council was to appoint a chief of police/community resource officer. The city charter requires Dunnellon to have a police chief; that can only be changed by referendum. Dunnellon Police Capt. Ron Bray has been in charge of the police department after former Police Chief Chris Scaglione was placed on administrative leave in November 2024. At the April 16 meeting, Vice Mayor Tim Inskeep made a motion for Bray to be the chief of police/community resource officer. Mayor Walter Green and council members Wally Dunn, Rex Lehmann and Valerie Hanchar all approved. Bray, who was in attendance, thanked the council for its support. Some of the provisions listed in the job's description: Act as the liaison between the Dunnellon City Council and the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Coordinate with the Marion County Sheriff's Office to address crime prevention and law enforcement problems occurring within the city. Prepare and manage the department's budget to meet the financial goals of the city. Monitor budget expenditures. Maintain routine and special patrols on the waterways within the city. Coordinate and provide training of all department staff to include advanced and high-liability training to ensure a high level of professionalism is maintained and agency personnel remain in compliance with FDLE/CJSTC training requirements. Assured the department is compliant with all FDLE/CJIS rules and regulations. Law enforcement: Marion County Sheriff's Office temporarily takes lead at the Dunnellon Police Department The salary range for the job is $62,790 to $92,909. City officials have not yet determined Bray's pay. Contact Austin L. Miller at This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Deputies patrolling the streets of the city of Dunnellon, Florida
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Status check: What's the next move for sheriff's office in Dunnellon?
The Dunnellon City Council appears willing to let go of the police department and let the Marion County Sheriff's Office officially oversee law enforcement in town. In a special meeting held Monday afternoon to gauge the public's opinion on the subject, the council signaled its desire to temporarily adopt a "hybrid method" for police service. If the concept is formally adopted at the council's Wednesday meeting, the sheriff's office will take oversight responsibility for law enforcement within the city limits. Presently, Lt. Julie Vowinkel, the MCSO Dunnellon district commander, is in charge of the city's police department in the absence of a police chief. The city's charter requires a police chief. This can only be changed by referendum. Mayor Walter Green said the police chief's responsibilities have yet to be defined in the hybrid plan. He said whomever is selected as chief will have substantial responsibilities, including serving as a liaison between the city and the MCSO. Green said although Vowinkel is in charge of the police department, the chief won't be a token representative for the city. He said that person will be in the city, working day-to-day with the department and forwarding any concerns or problems to the council. Capt. Ron Bray is currently serving as liaison and will continue to do so until a decision is made on a permanent police chief. Dunnellon police officers remain on the job and continue to patrol the city. Vice Mayor Tim Inskeep wants Bray to fill the spot as the liaison. Council member Valerie Hanchar told colleagues they should wait before making a final decision. Green, Inskeep, council members Hanchar, Rex Lehmann and Wally Dunn were all present Monday. In November, former police Chief Chris Scaglione was placed on administrative leave when it was alleged he neglected to take care of what Inskeep felt were serious issues at the department. Scaglione wasn't investigated and he and the city agreed to part ways. Scaglione continued to receive his salary and benefits until Jan. 31. Vowinkel came on board as interim chief last month, according to the Agreement for Temporary Assumption of Law Enforcement Oversight and Assignment of Law Enforcement Executive that was signed by the sheriff and the mayor. From 2008 to the present, the city has had four police chiefs. During that time, the sheriff's office have been called twice — now and in 2023 — to take the helm at the police department until city officials worked out a solution. Vowinkel's salary is paid by the sheriff. She oversees the DPD and its officers, who patrol approximately 7.4 miles and protect close to 2,000 residents. Aside from Bray, there are six officers on staff. The annual budget for the city's police department is roughly $1.4 million. During Monday's meeting, the idea of a hybrid organization was floated by Lynne McAndrews during public comment. She said the hybrid period could be used as a trial to see if it's a viable full-time option. Inskeep introduced a presentation on what would happen if the sheriff's office takes over law enforcement for the city. Included in the presentation was the number of deputies needed for the city, the cost of those deputies, deputies' responsibilities, and what the department structure would look like. City officials said if police equipment is sold, then the proceeds would go to a special fund designated for law enforcement purposes. So far that account has more than $500,000. Other speakers, including Doris Townsend and Butler Hagins, said there have been multiple break-ins in the city, and they want something done about it. Vowinkel said of the 10 break-ins, nine occurred before the city asked for the sheriff's office's assistance. She said a detective has been investigating the incidents. Former Dunnellon Police Chief Joanne Black said it's sad that no speaker talked about preserving the police department. Black said she hopes community policing will be the focal point, regardless of whether the police department is retained. Retirement: Dunnellon shakeup: Police chief leaving; will sheriff take over city law enforcement? Those sentiments were echoed by Brenda D'Arville. She said she supports the police department. In other city news, Green told the audience that longtime resident Clinton Burns is sick and needs their prayers. Burns, who turned 103 in January, is an auxiliary police officer and World War II veteran. Contact Austin L. Miller at This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: What's the latest on the sheriff's office work in Dunnellon, Florida?
