LIMA — At Monday’s 7 p.m. meeting at the Lima Municipal Building, Lima City Council will consider legislation to allow the Lima Police and Fire departments to enter into an updated memorandum of understanding with the Allen County Sheriff’s Office in regards to the Lima-Allen County Regional Bomb Squad.
The bomb squad is a collaborative effort between the three agencies, with the team made up of two representatives from each department. According to the memorandum of understanding, while each team member remains employed with that member’s home agency, the group would work together in biweekly training sessions while also being available to respond to emergency situations. The Allen County sheriff would serve as the squad administrator, with all specialized equipment administered by the Sheriff’s Office.
“Continuing the joint agency bomb squad is in the mutual best interest of the entire community by allowing for the sharing of costs and responsibilities when providing vital emergency services when needed,” Lima Police Chief Kevin Martin wrote in a letter to Lima City Council.
Once a member of the squad would be certified, that member would commit to work with the bomb squad for at least five years, with the option to extend that assignment.
The council will also vote on a resolution voicing opposition to President Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development programs, specifically the Community Development Block Grant and the HOME Investment Partnership Program. Community Development director Susan Crotty has said the loss of these grant programs could cost the city more than $1.2 million in federal program funding.
