Ripley authorizes legal action to recoup academy and equipment costs from former officer

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen authorized the city attorney to pursue legal action against former officer Candace Hardy to recoup contractual and equipment costs the department said remain unpaid. A speaker identified (in transcript) a 24-month academy repayment agreement that reduces the city's share pro rata for each month the officer works; the outstanding balance the city described is about $4,600.

Unidentified Speaker 4 explained the repayment formula: the cost of attending the law-enforcement academy is apportioned across 24 months so the officer repays a pro rata share if they voluntarily resign before completing the period. City Hall staff and the city attorney sent demand notices that, according to the transcript, received no response; the council voted to authorize legal proceedings to obtain judgment and recover costs.

The motion to authorize legal action was moved and seconded at the meeting and passed on a voice vote. The transcript does not supply the full text of the demand letter, the contract that Candace Hardy signed, or any signed repayment schedule. The board did not record an amount beyond the approximate $4,600 referenced in the discussion.