The Resaca Town Council tabled a vote on eliminating the town’s police department at contracting with the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office to provide patrols.

After a 40-minute closed session at Thursday’s called meeting, Mayor Sammy Allen said the council had not come to an agreement and tabled the matter until the next regular town council meeting.

“We want to do what is in the best interest of this town,” Allen said before the meeting adjourned.

During the public portion of the meeting, Sheriff Mitch Ralston made a brief presentation and said the council could contract with his office for $100,000 a year to have an officer assigned to Resaca 12 hours a day.

Ralston said it costs the town about $500,000 a year to operate its own police department.

“I’m here to support whatever decision you reach,” Ralston said.

If Resaca eliminates its police department, it would need to contract for local police service to continue Local Option Sales Tax revenue, Ralston said.

“The town can save $400,000 a year while getting law enforcement service and the benefit of continuing to receive LOST money,” he said. “All fine revenue from tickets written in the city limits will continue to go to Resaca Municipal Court.”

Ralston said Resaca will be zoned for regular sheriff’s patrols during the 12 hours the officer is not assigned to the town and an ordinance officer will be available to enforce town ordinances.

“This is nothing against The Resaca Police Department,” he said. “They have done a good job and gotten a lot of bad people off the road.”

Following Ralston’s presentation, the council voted to go into executive session.