Given that the terms are worked out by Dec. 19, the Batavia Township board of trustees is expected to make a formal decision concerning a new contract with the Clermont County Sheriff’s Department for police coverage to begin next year.

Currently, the township contracts with the sheriff’s department for the services of one deputy, but after township residents approved a levy to raise money to expand that protection, the township could be looking at hiring as much as perhaps two or three more deputies, depending on contract details and levy earnings.

The trustees met in executive session Dec. 5 at their regular meeting to negotiate with the sheriff’s department.

“We talked regarding the contract with the Clermont County Sheriff’s Department and began negotiations on that,” said township administrator Rex Parsons. “I do expect a vote at the next meeting.”