The Centre City Council has approved the creation of a 2nd investigator position at the police department.

According to Mayor Tony Wilkie, the Centre PD is acting more in a role of lead agency in crimes committed within the City Limits and that means a bigger caseload.

That’s why the additional investigator is needed.

The council also voted to advertise a job opening for what would essentially be a patrolman’s position since Jeff Bryant is expected to be promoted to the new investigator position.

Council members Harry Moon and Marc Johnson voted against both motions.

During a meeting earlier this month, Chief Kirk Blankenship stated that for the last quarter there were 239 incident reports, which are up by 100 from the previous quarter.

There were also 74 arrests, an increase of 44. Those incidents included a stabbing, a murder and a few sexual abuse cases.

Blankenship said the caseload has tripled since he has been with the department.

Also Tuesday night, Mayor Wilkie took time to recognize the city’s newest business owners.

David Seals and his father Billy have opened a Mahindra Tractor dealership.

The dealership is located in the old tractor business site in East Centre and is now open.

In other action during Tuesday’s council meeting, Cindy James was re-appointed to the Cherokee County Industrial Development Board.

The council also set a work session for 4pm on Monday, January the 28th.