The executive director of the police standards board charged with blocking an effort to hire private security to replace county sheriffs deputies says the claims are "fiction." A Foley city official confirms that the agency contacted the proposed security outfit but did not take action.

The city voted to sign a contract with a private security company after failing to reach a new contract with Benton County. Foley has been contracting with the county to provide law enforcement since the city cut its own police staff in 2003. Foley is the first city in Minnesota to hire a private police force.

Last month, the central Minnesota city dropped their contract with the Benton County sheriff's office in order to save money. But Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson raised concern about possible legal ramifications of relying on private security.

The Foley city council voted to end their contract with the Benton County Sheriff's Department to save money. They'll pay nearly half as much to a private security company instead to safeguard the city.

The central Minnesota city previously contracted with the Benton County sheriff's office but switched in a cost-cutting move -- making it the first in the state to hire a private security company to patrol its streets.

The city recently ended its contract with the Benton County sheriff's department in favor of a less expensive deal with a private security company. Now Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson has offered to help mediate talks aimed at putting security back in the hands of sheriff's deputies.

The Mankato City Council is expected to vote Monday on whether to eliminate the Joint Civil Service Commission, the Mankato Free Press reports. A city staff report argues the three-member body that controls employment, promotion and discipline of police and firefighters is "redundant and inefficient" because of employment laws, union protections and the city’s own policies.

Robbinsdale School District officials say they can save $2 million a year by privatizing student busing. Many parents oppose the plan saying the service might be cheaper, but at what cost?