Sheriff requests new hires and vehicle replacements; supervisors approve equipment and staffing changes

The Columbia County Public Safety Committee on June 17 approved several staffing and equipment requests from the sheriff's department, including filling two senior investigator positions and replacing crash-damaged drone equipment.

The department asked to fill two senior investigator posts; supervisors moved and carried the request. The sheriff's office also asked to abolish one Senior Auto Mechanic 1 position, fill a Senior Auto Mechanic position and increase the remaining senior mechanic salary; staff said the restructuring reflects differences in certification requirements and the county's small pool of experienced mechanics.

Supervisors amended an earlier resolution to add two more bicycles for the department's bike unit, saying fit and adjustment issues make it difficult to share a limited fleet. Department staff said the net budget impact was small and that the department would shift existing budgeted funds to cover the $3,600 additional cost.

A department drone was damaged after hitting a geofence; insurance reimbursements left a $607 difference for a replacement, which supervisors approved. The committee also approved an updated vehicle order for 2026 Chevrolet Tahoes after manufacturer model-year changes left previously bid 2025 vehicles unavailable. Sheriff's staff said they expect any increased cost to be covered by asset forfeiture funds; exact figures were not yet available.

The sheriff's department provided its monthly out-of-county inmate report during the meeting: 38 inmates for the reporting period, three paroled and six held for Greene County. No substantive policy changes were taken beyond the personnel and procurement approvals.

All requests from the sheriff's department reported in the meeting record were carried by voice vote.