BROOKSVILLE, Fla. -- The Brooksville City Council will hold a final vote Monday to decide the future of the city’s police force.
- Brooksville City Council to vote on future of police
- Police department could be disbanded
- Some business owners are concerned about the impact
It’s expected the councilmembers will agree to contracting with the Sheriff’s Office and disband the police department.
Some business owners can’t believe losing city police could become a reality.
"I'm sad on the one hand,” said Ann Borgialli, owner of House of Passage in downtown Brooksville. “I was born and raised here I'm a native here and that's all I've really known is the city police for the downtown area but then again I've never really seen the city police patrolling during the day."
The city council said it needs to cut spending and some residents have expressed concern over getting double-taxed for the police services.
But for some, the biggest issue is response times.
"I dial 9-11 and I can get an officer here in minutes as opposed to who knows where the sheriff's department is coming from," said Mary Kihn, owner of Treasures from the Heart.
That concerns Borgialli as well. However, her biggest worry is not knowing exactly what the impact is will be.
"I know change is supposed to be good,” Borgialli said. “I'm all about change for change but sometimes you just don't know.”
The city council meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the council chambers.