Renewed contract

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has renewed its contract with Fabius Township for law-enforcement services.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the commission agreed to the one-year contract. The measure, which has been in place more than 13 years, calls for the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department to dedicate a car and deputy to patrol Fabius Township exclusively.

Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite said patrol officer Tim Barnes will continue to serve as the township’s contracted officer. The $93,000 expense is paid for by Fabius Township.

One modification from previous contracts has to do with using the Fabius-Park Fire Station on West Broadway Street as a substation for Barnes. Lillywhite said Barnes is a Three Rivers resident, so rather than driving to Centreville in his personal vehicle then driving back to Three Rivers area for patrol, Barnes will leave the sheriff’s department vehicle in a bay at the station.

The setup will save Barnes driving time and miles on the county’s patrol car, Lillywhite said.

Barnes works a 40-hour week.