Letter to Editor from City of Shelbina Council and Mayor

To the Editor,

In light of the recent public resignation letter from City Marshal Jeff Brown, the Mayor and City Council of Shelbina feel it is important to provide our residents with accurate and complete information regarding the City’s operations and leadership.

We respect anyone’s right to share their perspective, especially after serving this community. However, many of the statements made in that letter are incomplete, misleading, or factually incorrect, and because those statements were shared publicly, it is equally important that the public hears the full picture.

The claim that the police department has operated without support does not reflect reality. The City has consistently provided funding, resources, and operational support to the department within its financial means, while also responsibly utilizing grant opportunities to maximize what can be provided. Like all departments, police funding reflects the overall financial condition of the City at any given time. That is not neglect. It is responsible governance.

It is also important to consider the timeframe being referenced. The conditions described in the letter fall within the same period in which the department was under the leadership of City Marshal Jeff Brown. These are not long-past issues, but matters tied to more recent operations.

The same is true when it comes to staffing. The data does not support the claim that the City has not been hiring officers. We have consistently hired full-time personnel and supplemented staffing with reserve or part-time officers when necessary to maintain coverage. The ongoing challenge has not been hiring. It has been retention within a very small department, where even a single departure represents a significant impact.

Regarding officer safety equipment, such as ballistic vests, this need was not formally brought forward as a funding request until more recently. Once it was identified, it was addressed, and the vests were ultimately secured through a grant applied for by the police department. This reflects the City’s ongoing approach of supporting departments in leveraging outside funding opportunities while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. The end result is that the equipment is now in place and up to date, consistent with how priorities are addressed through the budgeting process.

As it relates to decision-making authority, the City operates under Missouri law and established governance structures. Elected officials have both the responsibility and the obligation to oversee budgets, policies, and operations across all departments. That is not interference. It is accountability to the public.

We also want to emphasize that our process is transparent. Current meeting minutes are available on the City’s website for anyone who wishes to review how decisions are discussed and voted on. The police department budget is also available for public viewing on the City’s website so residents can see exactly how funding decisions are made and resources are allocated. We strongly encourage residents to attend meetings, ask questions, and see firsthand how these decisions are made.

Our police officers are valued, supported, and respected. Their safety and their ability to serve this community remain a priority and will continue to be.

The City of Shelbina remains committed to transparency, responsible leadership, and serving our residents with integrity. We will continue to make decisions based on facts, the law, and what is in the best interest of our entire community.

Respectfully,

Al Dimmitt

Curt Hines

Nick Broughton

James Simpson

Chad Wharton

Mayor and City Council

City of Shelbina