Edgar County board hears sheriff staffing update, votes to enter closed session for personnel

Edgar County board members discussed recent staffing changes in the sheriff's department and voted to go into a closed session to discuss personnel matters.

During a multi‑minute conversation about department staffing, a board member said the county had authorized eight deputy positions and that the department recently hired a deputy who started last week. The same discussion noted one deputy has been on workers' compensation since last spring and that, with that absence, the department currently has seven deputies in the field. A board member estimated the fully loaded cost of a new deputy — salary, benefits, vehicle and equipment — at more than $100,000.

"When you look at the salary, benefits, all the insurance, vehicles, equipment, just everything, you know. So, you know, when we make these decisions, it's not just, it's no big deal. Well, it is a big deal," one board member said while summarizing the budgetary impact of adding deputies.

The board agreed the new hire will improve shift coverage and officer safety once staffing stabilizes. "With this extra hire ... most of the shifts now, they have 2 on every shift, but that that'll make it where they can have 2 on every shift 24/7," a board member said, describing expected coverage improvements.

Later in the meeting the board voted to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters related to the sheriff’s department. A motion to move into closed session was made by Russ, seconded by Andy. The board voted aloud; all present answered "aye." The minutes record the motion passed and the board went into closed session.

After the closed session motion and other business, the board adjourned; the meeting record did not include additional public actions regarding sheriff personnel in open session.