Sheriff reports rising calls and stronger-than-expected jail revenue; commission rescinds an 80% staffing incentive

Sheriff Chris Wells presented a year‑end operational report Jan. 6, telling the Osage County Commission that traffic crashes and several call types increased in 2025 while 911 performance remained above national standards.

Wells reported an approximate 10% increase in traffic crashes (about 690 incidents) and upticks in alarm calls, VIN inspections (988 reported), and other response categories. He said the county’s 911 center met National Emergency Number Association standards with 100% of calls answered within 15 seconds and 99% within 10 seconds, and reported an overall call volume of roughly 22,850 entries for the year.

Wells also reviewed jail operations and revenue. He said the county missed its planned January 1 opening for the new jail but ultimately realized substantially higher revenue than early estimates from federal and outside housing and commissary activity; the sheriff provided multiple detailed figures during his presentation. Commissioners asked about staffing, vehicle repair thresholds, and procurement policy; Wells said the jail is nearly fully staffed but may need one additional position as inmate populations grow.

After discussing an existing policy that provided an extra $1 per hour to jail staff when staffing fell below an 80% threshold, the commission debated simplification of wage policy and moved to rescind policies that tied additional pay to an 80% staffing trigger. Commissioners instructed the sheriff to prepare a payroll change (a blue‑sheet/pay sheet) to implement a standard 2026 pay structure; the change can be effective retroactively if needed.

The commission took no further formal action on procurement thresholds or full policy rewrites but directed staff to include budget and signatory streamlining as reorganization items at the next meeting.