DUNNELLON — On April 15, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to accept an agreement for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement services to the city of Dunnellon.
On April 16, the Dunnellon City Council voted 5-0 to accept the proposal.
Barring any unforeseen hiccups, the contract becomes effective May 13.
This means sheriff’s Lt. Julie Vowinkel, the Dunnellon district commander for the sheriff’s office, is in charge of six deputies patrolling the city’s approximately 7.4 square miles and serving its nearly 2,000 residents.
While the agreement doesn’t kick in until May 13, deputies already have been doing the job for a little more than a week. Dunnellon Police Department officers have been on paid leave since April 14. They will continue to get their pay until May 13.
Vowinkel has acted as the city’s interim chief since February, pursuant to the Agreement for Temporary Assumption of Law Enforcement Oversight and Assignment of Law Enforcement Executive, which was signed by the sheriff and the mayor.
Lt. Julie Vowinkel
The switch from Dunnellon officers to sheriff’s deputies was made because city officials felt the police department has had too many problems through the years and it was time for a change.
Capt. Ron Bray
With that issue behind them, the next step for council was to appoint a chief of police/community resource officer. The city charter requires Dunnellon to have a police chief; that can only be changed by referendum.
Dunnellon Police Capt. Ron Bray has been in charge of the police department after former Police Chief Chris Scaglione was placed on administrative leave in November 2024.
At the April 16 meeting, Vice Mayor Tim Inskeep made a motion for Bray to be the chief of police/community resource officer. Mayor Walter Green and council members Wally Dunn, Rex Lehmann and Valerie Hanchar all approved.
Capt. Ron Bray of the Dunnellon Police Department
Bray, who was in attendance, thanked the council for its support.
Some of the provisions listed in the job’s description:
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Act as the liaison between the Dunnellon City Council and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
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Coordinate with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office to address crime prevention and law enforcement problems occurring within the city.
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Prepare and manage the department’s budget to meet the financial goals of the city. Monitor budget expenditures.
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Maintain routine and special patrols on the waterways within the city.
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Coordinate and provide training of all department staff to include advanced and high-liability training to ensure a high level of professionalism is maintained and agency personnel remain in compliance with FDLE/CJSTC training requirements.
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Assured the department is compliant with all FDLE/CJIS rules and regulations.
Law enforcement: Marion County Sheriff’s Office temporarily takes lead at the Dunnellon Police Department
The salary range for the job is $62,790 to $92,909. City officials have not yet determined Bray’s pay.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Deputies patrolling the streets of the city of Dunnellon, Florida