Prince Township and the City of Sault Ste. Marie are having trouble 'getting to yes' in talks aimed at a new agreement for police protection for Prince's 1,044 inhabitants.
For the second time this year, an expired five-year agreement is being extended as the two municipalities try to strike a new deal.
A five-year agreement allowing Sault Ste. Marie Police Service to provide policing services to Prince expired on March 31.
On April 7, Sault councillors agreed to extend the existing contract until June 30.
With that arrangement set to expire next Monday, the city has agreed to further extend talks.
"There has been a request to enter into a new agreement for police services, but the parties have not concluded a new agreement yet to bring to council," says city solicitor Karen Fields in a report prepared for Mayor Matthew Shoemaker and ward councillors.
"The parties are looking to extend the current agreement on a month-to-month basis until a new agreement is concluded.
"This would allow Prince Township to continue to have police coverage in the interim at the current cost and allow the parties to continue to negotiate an agreement to be brought to council for approval," Fields said.
Fields is retiring at the end of this week.
On Monday, the city announced that Jeffrey King has been selected as her replacement.
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is under heavy fiscal scrutiny for exceeding this year's budget.
Last month, councillors voted to look into the cost of having Ontario Provincial Police provide police services in Sault Ste. Marie.