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Council funds $95,000 security upgrades for Treasurer's office after safety concerns
Summary
Allen County Council approved $95,000 for contracted security services and capital improvements at the Treasurer’s office at the Rousseau Center after Treasurer Samantha Chenery described threats and high cash volume during tax season.
The Allen County Council on April 9 approved $95,000 in appropriations to address security and capital needs at the Treasurer’s office in the Rousseau Center, responding to staff safety concerns and high seasonal cash volume.
Why it matters: The Treasurer’s office handles significant cash and payment traffic during tax seasons. Staff reported verbal threats and increasing incidents that prompted a request for contracted security during peak periods and physical improvements to the teller area.
Treasurer Samantha Chenery told the council she has "concerns for my staff and for the safety of tax payer money," and requested $8,775 for contracted security services and $86,225 for capital improvements. She said contracted security would cover intensified intake periods: three weeks before, the week of, and the week after peak tax collection in spring and similar coverage in the fall. Chenery said some security items (other than exterior perimeter work) would be portable if the office relocates later.
Council discussion noted that Rousseau Center’s first floor is relatively unsecured since courtrooms moved to the Meeks Justice Center and that cash and payment traffic creates exposure. One council member described observing unsecure cash handling on tax day. Chenery said vendors had been contacted and that work could begin promptly if funds are approved, although some improvements have lead times of about six weeks.
Motion and vote: A motion to appropriate $95,000 within the general fund (contractual $8,775, capital $86,225) passed on a roll call recorded as 5 yea, 1 no, 1 absent. The roll call named several members as voting aye; the transcript recorded one council member saying, "I am a no," without a clear name attached in the roll-call sequence.
Ending: Council members expressed support for employee safety and acknowledged the Treasurer had consulted the Sheriff’s Office and surveyed peer treasurers. The motion passed and funds were approved to begin security work and order capital improvements.
