Bay County commissioners approved the addition of a court officer liaison deputy position to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 7 after testimony from the chief judge who urged greater security at the county courthouse.

Judge Sharon told the board the item "is about our security," saying building security has not materially changed since the county moved into its current courthouse and that staff and judges have become increasingly concerned about safety. "We have 2 security people at the front of the building who monitor traffic into the building," she said, and the court currently relies on two other deputies whose duties include transporting people from the jail for court matters.

Judge Sharon said the sheriff has proposed a revised approach after securing a federal contract to house federal prisoners, which creates funding that can be used to support transportation and security duties. Rather than the earlier plan to add two full-time positions, the judge said the proposal before the board was to add a single court-jail liaison deputy and make use of additional part-time transportation deputies to provide random patrols and increased presence in the building.

Commission members who spoke in favor said the measure was a step toward greater safety in a building that hosts criminal and civil matters, including emotionally charged family court cases. One commissioner noted recent national news of courtroom shootings to underscore the risks present in courthouses.

The board moved to approve the position; the motion carried by voice vote. No dollar amount for the position was stated on the record during the meeting minutes provided in the transcript; Commissioners referenced that available funds from the Sheriff’s federal housing contract would offset some costs and that the revised approach could be less expensive than an earlier two-position plan.

The judge and commissioners described this as a security and operational measure rather than a change to court procedure. The new liaison position is intended to coordinate prisoner transport and enhance courthouse security; staff said it will work with the Sheriff’s Office and county administration on implementation.