LINDON — Confusion and miscommunication cropped up Tuesday night during a City Council discussion about a potential police force.

"I'm a little concerned and confused, quite honestly," said Councilwoman Lindsey Bayless. "I had the distinct feeling that (Pleasant Grove) was telling (Lindon) it was time to go, and now we're hearing something totally different."

Lindon has been looking at branching out from its police, fire and emergency services contract with Pleasant Grove — which has been in place for 23 years — and presented three alternatives to residents Tuesday night.

The city could either stay with Pleasant Grove, join forces with Orem or the county sheriff's office, or create its own police force.

With polite and restrained tension, city leaders, residents, law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel talked about the pros and cons of each agency.

Lindon's main concern is getting more information and more accountability for how the money is spent — whether for services or equipment — as well as having more input in the organization of the agency.

There was a difference of opinion about whether or not Lindon officials had ever asked Pleasant Grove officials specific questions related to budget or services. Pleasant Grove officials said they had been providing such detail and wished they had been invited to make a presentation similar to the ones Orem and the Utah County Sheriff's Office made in previous weeks about services.

"Lindon would like to have more of those three things — ownership, input and participation in decision-making," said Pleasant Grove Mayor Mike Daniels. "Those are all really important forward-thinking visionary statements. (But) it's not a choice of if Pleasant Grove wants to keep or get rid of Lindon — that's not the case. Do we want to see you go? No, not at all. Do you have the right to go? Absolutely."

Lindon City Council members shook their heads and said that was not the sentiment expressed in a meeting in March.

"It was very clear to me that based on some discussions we had that Pleasant Grove was not in the business to provide services outside of the city and that maybe a transition period should take place," Lindon Mayor Jeff Acerson said. "I'm not settled right now. I'm a little unsettled based on what's been said this evening."

Council members had tentatively agreed they would make a decision regarding police services at next Tuesday's City Council meeting.

But despite the miscommunications over logistics, quality of service was never a concern.

"We're not complaining about the guys and ladies in the trenches," Bayless said. "We just never really know what we're spending our money on."