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Benton County votes to hire law‑enforcement liaison as county employee after regional funding ends
Summary
Supervisors approved resolution 25‑22 to bring the county's law‑enforcement liaison on payroll, making the position a county employee with a $72,000 salary and benefits; the board and public discussed funding changes as regional grants and partner contributions shift.
Benton County supervisors approved resolution 25‑22 to hire an in‑house law‑enforcement liaison, approving the position as a county employee and preserving the role after regional grant funding ends.
County and sheriff’s office speakers described the liaison’s duties: the liaison responds to law‑enforcement calls when mental‑health or substance‑use issues are identified, coordinates follow‑up care and helps arrange court or protective actions when needed. The sheriff and other supervisors said the position has reduced unnecessary arrests and emergency‑room visits by connecting people in crisis to services.
County staff identified the candidate selected from several applicants as Shelby Chuckle and said she would be employed by the county effective April 8. The county described the position’s annual cost as $72,000 plus full benefits; officials said the cost will be offset in part by contributions from local governments — Vinton anticipated paying about $10,800 annually, Belle Plaine a smaller amount and Urbana a population‑based share — and that some funding formerly routed through a regional contractor (Foundation 2) will end as the region’s role changes.
Speakers addressed public concern over taxpayer cost. A member of the public asked why the county would pay for a position that previously was funded through a regional contract; county and regional staff said state and regional restructuring reduced external funding for the position and that the county had previously paid roughly half of the position’s cost through regional arrangements. Officials said shifting the hire in‑house preserves local continuity of services and avoids pauses in coverage.
Supervisors voted to adopt resolution 25‑22. The board indicated the county attorney’s office will finalize agreements with participating cities and that staff will pursue reimbursements or cost‑sharing agreements where possible.
