Sheriff asks commissioners to ratify 2026 solicitor contract and cut some civil process fees

Sheriff Powers asked the Crawford County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 8 to approve two items: a 2026 contract with the county solicitor at $7,000 per year, and a revision to civil process fees to take effect Jan. 2, 2026.

"I'd like to, ask for approval to sign the contract with our solicitor Noah Erde for 2026, at $7,000 a year," Sheriff Powers said during the meeting. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the contract by roll call.

The sheriff also proposed changes to civil process fees, saying the county’s current fees had not been adjusted for inflation and did not cover rising costs. Under the approved change, fees for civil process service under 30 miles will decrease from $105 to $85; above 30 miles the fee will change from $160 to $130; and the fee for each additional defendant will be reduced from $30 to $25. Sheriff Powers said the flat-rate fee will cover up to six attempts and that all service returns would be sent via email rather than U.S. mail. He noted the change would not affect fees for real estate, writs of execution, levy sales, deputized civil service or warrant costs.

"Civil process fees have not been adjusted for inflation in several years, and the expenses of postage checks, gasoline, and manpower are not adequately funded under the present price," Sheriff Powers said. The board voted to approve the new fee schedule by roll call.

Commissioners and staff framed the change as an efficiency and cost-management measure; a county staff member thanked Kelsey and others for efforts to "modernize this a little bit." The items were recorded as approved and will be implemented by the sheriff’s office and county administration.