Sheriff's office pauses dry‑well repair plan pending test hole; board approves third patrol truck purchase

Undersheriff Rura Lightbould presented a request to contract excavation and installation of a dry well in the jail's outdoor recreation area to prevent seasonal flooding. The memorandum described excavation of a roughly 10x10x9‑foot pit, installation of a dry well and connection to an existing drain. The sheriff's office requested authorization for the work, estimated at $9,845 for the initial scope with an optional additional scope if further line work were needed.

Commissioners and staff expressed concerns about a potentially high local water table and recommended a conservative approach: dig a test hole first to observe seepage and the depth at which groundwater appears. Lightbould agreed to insert a test‑hole step into the procurement process; the board did not approve the full contract and will revisit the item after the test hole and soil/drainage observations.

On a separate item, the board approved the purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado for the sheriff's patrol fleet in the amount of $50,594.32 from Taylor and Sons Chevrolet. Sheriff's staff said the vehicle replaces one of three trucks authorized previously; two were purchased earlier and the third was no longer available, so this approval replaces that third vehicle. The motion to approve the purchase passed on roll call.

Ending: The jail dry‑well project was paused pending a test hole and further staff report; the patrol vehicle purchase was approved and funded from the sheriff's fleet budget.