Cost for uniform destroyed by dog attack to be borne by police chief
Megan Strickland
St. Ignatius Town Councilmember Ray Frey argues that Police Chief Jeffrey Ferguson should not be reimbursed for costs of clothes destroyed in a dog attack.
Megan Strickland
Councilmember Daren Incashola says Police Chief Jeffrey Ferguson should be reimbursed for the cost of clothes lost in a recent dog attack.
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ST. IGNATIUS – Police Chief Jeffrey Ferguson will not be reimbursed for damages to his uniform caused by a March 10 dog attack. In a rare non-unanimous decision, the St. Ignatius Town Council voted to not pay for the damages because some councilmembers feared it would set precedent for other employees to possibly ask for more than their clothing allowance in case of incidental damage.
“Each employee we have should be treated the same,” Councilmember Ray Frey said. “They get clothing allowance for this kind of stuff – for normal wear and tear or dog wear and tear.”
Frey gave an example of Public Works Director Scott Morton, who has a boot allowance and has to spend it to replace footwear regularly damaged by chlorine used to treat the city’s water.
Councilmember Daren Incashola did not agree that the two kinds of damage were incurred under the same type of situation.
“It’s not normal wear and tear for doing his job,” Incashola said. “It’s the result of a criminal act.”
The $141.50 to replace the uniform that was shredded in a dog attack was already paid out of Ferguson’s pocket. He filed paperwork with the city to reimburse that cost once restitution was paid.
“We might never get restitution,” City Attorney James Lapotka said. “I think it would be easier if the town absorbed that and bought Jeff a new shirt.”
The council voted 3-1 against paying for the damages. Ferguson will have to wait to see if restitution is ordered after a court case.
Ferguson has been on medical leave since the attack. He hoped to return to work on April 7.
In other business:
• Lake County Airport Board Chairman Rick Newman gave an annual report on updates made to the St. Ignatius Airport.
• Morton said that construction of the final part of a water improvement project had begun.
