MANSFIELD — A proposed $1.67 million indoor shooting range/training facility for the Mansfield Police Department will be discussed during a City Council finance committee on Tuesday evening.
Council last discussed the issue in November 2018 when police department leaders told lawmakers they were working to develop a long-term solution that began two years ago when the old range inside the municipal building had to be closed for lead clean-up.
The bill to be discussed would seek a bond not to exceed $1.67 million for a new facility on South Airport Road on the city’s north side.
In November, Safety-Service Director Lori Cope told council has worked on the issue for the past two years. She provided lawmakers with a list of 32 options or issues the city has considered.
“When we have the final numbers, we will present it through (council’s) Finance Committee,” Cope said at the time, adding construction of such a new site could top $1 million.
Cope said then funding options could include a bond issue or perhaps borrowing the money from the city’s water fund and repaying it.
When the issue was discussed in November, then-Chief Ken Coontz said an indoor shooting range, including a large-enough space for AR-15 rifle training, was a necessity for the police department.
“We are already outgunned in the community,” the former chief said, pointing to weapons recovered from six houses during a recent drug sweep.
“When you see (a photo) of the collection of handguns, semi-automatics, Uzis, rifles … it will take your breath back for a second when you realize those came from six houses of local drug dealers in our community,” Coontz said.
Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker has tried unsuccessfully for the past two years to partner with other law enforcement agencies and the 179th Airlift Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard on a joint shooting/training facility.
The proposal is scheduled for a first reading May 7, second reading on May 21 and vote on June 4.
The finance committee is scheduled to meet at 6:05 p.m. in council chambers at the Municipal Building, one of four planned committee meetings before caucus begins at 7 p.m.
Other planned committee meetings are claims at 5:50, streets at 6:20 and safety at 6:50.
The streets committee will discuss a proposal to convert Mulberry Street into two-way traffic from Second Street to Fifth Street. Theaker said the idea stems from the Mansfield Rising plan to help make the downtown more accessible. Other one-way streets in the area may be converted in the future if this attempt goes well, he said.
Also scheduled for Tuesday night’s council meeting is the second reading of an ordinance to replace the city’s entire water meter system; as well as a bill authorizing the city to seek bids for road salt.
