It appears that Robinson will continue to employ police services from its neighbor, McDonald, despite a budget shortfall that nearly led to the end of the partnership.

McDonald police officers are continuing to patrol and answer calls in Robinson, while officials from both towns negotiate a new contract that will be financed with donations from local businesses.

During budget planning, Robinson supervisors determined they were unable to afford the $82,000 cost of continuing police coverage.

But at the last minute, three businesses offered to donate enough money to fund the police this year, Robinson Supervisor Gerald Runtas said.

"We didn't have the money in the budget, and we didn't know how we were going to come up with the money, and we kept looking at different things we could do," Mr. Runtas said. "And we got word out to different people and companies and businesses and we got some financial help."

Robinson Supervisor Brian Coppola said the names of the contributing businesses would be made public once the money was secured and the new contract was signed.

State police had been expected to provide extra coverage, Mr. Coppola said. "But we wanted to keep McDonald because we've had such a good relationship with them."

Since Jan. 1, McDonald police have operated under an extension of the terms of the agreement, which expired at year's end.

McDonald council members hope to OK a new contract Feb. 2, and Robinson supervisors said they would hold a special meeting to approve it.

Until then, McDonald will provide 24/7 service, McDonald Police Chief Mark Dorsey said.

He said officials are ironing out some language changes in the contract regarding a liability clause and a provision that outlines how much notice the parties would have to give to terminate the agreement.

But the basic terms of the agreement -- services and payment -- likely will be similar, Chief Dorsey said.

"Both sides are pretty overwhelmingly committed to making this work, since we've had a good relationship over the past 14 years," Chief Dorsey said.

To fund police service after this year, Robinson may restructure some debt, Mr. Coppola said.

"If we free up some money there, we might be able to afford the police," Mr. Coppola said. "We need a year to get back on our feet financially."

Partly because McDonald had anticipated the loss of the police contract, borough council members cut about $50,000 from their 2009 budget and raised property taxes 1.5 mills.

McDonald Councilwoman Marilou Ritchie, head of the public safety committee, expected the tax increase and spending plan to remain in place, and she hoped to set aside some income from any new police contract.

"We cut so far back, we're going to have some problems toward the end of the year," she said, "and we'll need all the money we can get."

First Published: January 18, 2009, 5:00 a.m.