Another option for securing the Marshall County Building will be presented to the County Council at their meeting next week.
Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hassel discussed a recommendation from the County’s Personnel Committee to hire another security officer during Monday’s Commissioner’s Meeting. The recommendation comes following a previous recommendation to hire a deputy EMA Director to provide security at the site.
Hassel says staffing both buildings would be worked out once a hire has been made.
“One would be assigned to this building,” says Hassel. “They could mix it up if they want, but you would have one in [the County Building] and two over in [the County Courthouse.]”
The County already provides security at its courthouse as required under state law. Providing security at the County Building next door is another matter.
If approved, hiring an additional security officer would not be executed until the 2017 budget is approved later this year. The Commissioners have little say in the matter other than their recommendation to the County Council. Still, there were concerns about how best to use funds in the Sheriff’s Department Budget. One Commissioner remarked that the funds could be better used for an additional officer on the roadways.
Commissioner Deb Griewank says she could support the measure with strong stipulations.
“We need to secure this building, number one,” says Griewank. “We need to keep our people safe. But then I think about: what happens if you need a patrol officer out there. Where do we fund what? And how?”
The County Council will consider both recommendations in the near future prior to spending the funds required to bring a new hire aboard.
The Commissioners voted 2-1 in favor of making a second proposal for securing the County Building. Griewank voted against the measure.
