Commission OKs three‑year Harrisburg policing contract, authorizes advertising for full‑time courthouse security position

Lincoln County commissioners unanimously approved a three‑year law enforcement contract with the City of Harrisburg and authorized the sheriff’s office to advertise a currently part‑time jail/courthouse security position with the option to hire full‑time.

Sheriff Steve Swanson presented the Harrisburg contract, describing it as a three‑year agreement covering 2026, 2027 and 2028 with the primary change being an added $4 per‑capita dispatch fee. Swanson said the $4 per‑capita dispatch increase would add $41,188 to the county dispatch fee and that the contract includes a 3% annual increase.

On a separate item, Swanson asked permission to advertise to fill a vacancy in the jail/courthouse security division. The position is currently budgeted as part‑time; Swanson said he wanted the option to hire full‑time in order to improve coverage once the county moves into a new courthouse. He told the commission the position is not currently budgeted as a full‑time role.

The commission approved both requests on roll call votes; no commissioner spoke in opposition and no amendments were made.

Why it matters: the contract sets the city/county policing and dispatch funding arrangement for the next three years and the advertised staffing change could lead to a permanent, full‑time courthouse security position pending future budget decisions.

Next steps: the sheriff will finalize and execute the contract and will post the job announcement with the advertised option for part‑time or full‑time employment; the county will address any budget adjustments for a full‑time hire through the appropriate budget processes.