BAY MINETTE, Ala. — The city of Silverhill reached out to the city of Bay Minette Monday for help in obtaining a COPS grant, which would give the small town in South Baldwin County another officer at no cost to the city for three years.

“We have been awarded a COPS grant, which would fund an officer for the first three years, with the city absorbing that fourth year,” Silverhill Mayor Tim Wilson told the council during its work session. “The grant covers all the salary, insurance, sick leave, vacations, everything.”

The catch – that officer has to be provided a patrol car, something the town does not have and cannot afford.

“We just don’t have it in the budget right now,” Wilson said. “If we can’t get the car, then we have to turn the grant down.”

Wilson noted Bay Minette’s recent purchase of new patrol cars, and said he understood the cars replaced would be submitted to the state for surplus auction.

“What I would ask is that you work with us by either donating the car or find out the fair market value and work something out with us so we could purchase it,” Wilson said.

Wilson and Silverhill Police Chief Kim Wasdin sweetened the deal with an offer to be used as an exchange or “down payment.”

“We have a K-9 officer who recently retired because his dad is dying of cancer,” Wasdin said. “We have over $6,000 in K-9 equipment, including the cage, electric window opener, electric door opener, cooling system – everything needed to completely outfit a charger for a dog, whether it’s a narcotics dog, search and rescue dog or whatever K-9 you have.

“I have talked to (the officer) and he is willing to donate the equipment to me to donate to y’all to help with this deal,” she said.

Wasdin said the extra officer that would be hired through the COPS grant is desperactely needed.

“We have had a 42 percent increase in crime over the last two years. It is just me and two other officers,” she said. “I work 60 or more hours every week and am on call 24-7. I think with this officer, Silverhill will be a safer place and hopefully we will be able to get crime going in the other direction.”

The Bay Minette Council agreed to research its options and work with the city of Silverhill to help them obtain a car.

The city also passed the 2011 budget, which includes a raise for employees, but also an increase in insurance premiums, and an increase in fees for garbage pick-up from $15 to $18, to include twice a week pickup and limb removal.

In other business, the council:

* Approved the purchase of a tag-along trailer at a cost of $13,500 for the Public Works department;

* Approved the appointment of Dess Sangester to the Housing Authority Board for a term of four years; and

* Declared the week of Oct. 24-31 Pro Bono Week via a proclamation.