Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Intergovernmental Contract topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council tables proposed Jonesboro contract to hire two county deputies pending legal review
Summary
A proposed intergovernmental contract with Jonesboro—where the city would pay about $181,000 annually to fund two county deputies—was presented and supported by Jonesboro's mayor but tabled by the Grant County Council for attorney review and union/HR consultation.
The Grant County Council on Wednesday tabled a proposed contract that would have the county provide two full-time deputies to the city of Jonesboro, with the city covering salary, benefits and some equipment costs.
Sheriff staff presented a draft agreement that would place two deputies in Jonesboro and transfer some equipment; Sheriff staff said the arrangement would include monthly reporting on calls and crime statistics. Jonesboro Mayor Goins told the council the city has budgeted to pay roughly $181,000 per year to fund the positions and described the proposal as a "win-win" for both communities.
Council members and staff raised procedural questions about who drafts the final contract language, whether the county attorney and union representatives should review the agreement, and how the arrangement would be staffed and advertised. County counsel and staff asked for time to review the draft; one advisor recommended waiting until the next meeting to provide legal advice. The council voted to table the item for legal review and return it next month.
Why it matters: Intergovernmental agreements that place county deputies in a municipality change staffing, budget responsibilities and oversight. The county must ensure contractual language, union implications and procurement or staffing rules are properly addressed before final approval.
Next steps: County legal counsel will review the draft contract and return it to the council; the commissioners indicated they had approved the concept at the commissioner level and that final action by both bodies will be coordinated.
