It is costing Alpena County more each year to field a secondary road patrol officer.

State funding to place a county deputy on the roads continues to fall.

Commissioners recently gave the sheriff’s office permission to apply for a grant renewal for the position.  This year, the state is providing about $48,500 toward a patrol officer, down from the $52,000 it provided last year.

The amount of state funding has been declining for years.

The total price of nearly $71,000 includes one deputy’s salary and benefits along with automotive and radio expenses.  The county will have to contribute approximately $22,400 toward that total.