JONESVILLE — Police officers working long weekends will now be allowed to drive their patrol cars home while the chief of police will be allowed to drive his home every evening.

Jonesville Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday to allow officers on-duty during long weekends — Friday, Saturday and Sunday — to drive their patrol cars home when their shift ends. Council ended the practice of officers driving their patrol cars home in August in an effort to cut fuel costs. In the two months following council’s decision, the policy saved the town nearly $1,000.

Chief Jimmy Wilkins asked for officers working long weekends to be allowed to drive their patrol cars home. Wilkins said this would allow officers to quickly respond if called back to town in an emergency situation.

Even with the new policy, Wilkins said there would always be at least one officer on-duty with one patrol car in town. He said that off-duty officers would not be permitted to use the vehicles for personal errands but only to drive to and from work.

Mayor Ernest Moore said that while the new policy might cost the town a little more in fuel, the price of gas has come down to the point where it would not be too much. Moore said the limited number of times officers will be able to drive their vehicles home will help hold down costs. He said the most important thing, however, is that the policy will help officers return to town quickly if they’re needed.

At Moore’s suggestion, council also voted to allow Wilkins to drive his patrol car home every night. Moore pointed out that Wilkins lives in Jonesville and so would not be driving a great distance to and from work. He said having his patrol car at home would allow Wilkins to respond quickly to an emergency situation.

The policy was opposed by former Chief Eddie Smith, who said he wanted his officers to be able to respond immediately to a call rather than having to drive back and get their patrol cars.

Lease extended

In other business, council voted unanimously to extend Oakbrook Community Church’s lease on the old Ship N’ Strap building on Alman Street. The church has been leasing the building from the town for the past six years.

Staggered terms

Council voted unanimously to approve second and final reading of an ordinance establishing a staggered terms system of electing the mayor and council. The ordinance states that while council members will still be elected to two-year terms the mayor will be elected to a four-year term in 2010. In 2012 council members will be elected to four-year terms.

Jonesville is the last municipality in the county to elect its mayor and council in the same year for two-year terms.