New Carlisle council authorizes city manager to pursue a "working sergeant" from Clark County Sheriff's Office

The City of New Carlisle City Council voted to authorize the city manager to move forward with adding a Clark County Sheriff’s Office sergeant as the city’s sixth deputy, asking the manager to pursue the change and related contract work within the next two months.

City Manager (staff member) and Chief Mark Lane of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office told the council the proposed position would be a supervisory, on‑site role that would attend council meetings, supervise deputies assigned to New Carlisle, and regularly work patrol shifts to maintain visibility and backfill when needed. Chief Mark Lane said, "We do expect them to come out here and shag some calls, naturally, and support the deputies on the road patrol that's actually working in the city. Absolutely. A 100%."

The proposal grew from the manager’s presentation about increasing demands on deputies from non‑patrol duties such as frequent welfare checks and social‑service responses. Councilmembers and county law enforcement described the sergeant role as a liaison and administrative supervisor who would be scheduled to see deputies on multiple shifts, assign follow‑up on reports currently routed back to road deputies and investigators, and be available face‑to‑face for city leaders.

Council members asked about the hiring process, union implications and timeline. Chief Lane said the department will likely follow seniority and internal hiring rules and that the position will require coordinating with the deputies’ union; he estimated the department could likely fill the posting within a couple of months but would not promise an exact date. Council members also clarified contract limits: under current union language, a deputy off duty for more than 10 days must be backfilled, and the sergeant would be expected to backfill short‑term gaps where feasible but not replace the contractual backfill requirement after 10 days.

The manager said the finance director has indicated the city can afford a sergeant but not an additional part‑time deputy at this time. Several council members said they favored a "working sergeant" who would both supervise and take patrol calls rather than a supervisor who remained in an office. Council discussion included how the sergeant would assign misdemeanor follow‑ups, reduce investigator workload, and help coordinate coverage for peak events such as the Fourth of July.

Councilman (mover not specified in transcript) moved "that we have the city manager move forward with the sixth deputy, a sergeant, working sergeant, as soon as possible within the next 2 months." Council then voted in favor. Recorded votes: Councilwoman Wright — yes; Councilman Lindsay — yes; Vice Mayor Eggleston — yes; Mayor Cook — yes; Councilwoman Grohl — yes; Councilman Bond — yes; Councilman Sheamus — yes. The motion passed (7–0).

Next steps described by staff: the city manager will submit a formal memo requesting the sheriff create the position and staff will draft or amend contract language and a job profile for the supervisory sergeant. The sheriff’s office will follow internal posting and selection procedures and then effect any backfill needed in road patrol.

The council’s authorization is procedural: it directs staff to pursue the contract and hiring steps. It does not itself change the city’s contract with the sheriff or set final job language — those items will return to council for formal approval as required.