STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Ketchum City Council elected Thursday night to reestablish its own police department rather than approve a new contract with the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office.

The council voted 3-1 to terminate its contract with the Sheriff’s Office despite an impassioned presentation by Blaine County Sheriff Morgan Ballis about the benefits of staying with the Sheriff’s Office.

Ballis noted that the city has already talked about reducing the number of officers from 12 to 11.

The meeting lasted past 11 p.m., thanks to a couple important issues on the agenda.

Councilmen Matthew McGraw, Spencer Cordovano and Tripip Hutchinson voted to end the contract; Councilman Randy Hall, a former mayor, voted in favor of renewing the contract.

Mayor Pete Prekeges said having its own police department will save costs. He also has talked about wanting a Ketchum police culture that includes policemen walking the streets and spending more time with schoolchildren.

Ketchum is the outlier, he added, noting that Sun Valley, Hailey and Bellevue have their own police departments.

The Blaine Conty Sheriff’s Office will assist the city through a 120-day transition period.