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Knox County sheriff reports jail population, staffing needs and evidence-building remodel
Summary
Sheriff Dan told commissioners the jail holds 74 men, 17 women and one person housed out of county; he described an almost-complete remodel for evidence storage, ongoing recruitment for corrections deputies and guidance on enforcement of side-by-side vehicles and horse-and-buggy road use.
Sheriff Dan delivered the Knox County sheriff's monthly report on Jan. 29, saying the county jail currently houses 74 males, 17 females and one person placed outside the county.
The sheriff said construction of a new evidence and storage area behind the sheriff's office, being handled by Mark Builders, is nearly finished aside from interior painting, electrical work and final security installations. "It's coming along," Dan said, adding the remodel will allow evidence and equipment to be moved back to a dedicated, more organized space.
The sheriff outlined current staffing needs: the department is recruiting two corrections deputies (with preference for one female and one male candidate) and a controlled-deputy/post for patrol. He also said a corrections deputy with roughly 17 years of service is due to retire in February.
On costs for housing inmates out of county, Dan estimated the monthly charge "around $2,500" for placements outside Knox County but said he would confirm the exact figure.
Dan addressed enforcement of off-road-style vehicles on county roads, saying vehicles that meet lighting and safety requirements can be licensed and inspected but that deputies will prioritize problems such as loud or modified machines that tear up roadways or operators without a valid license. "I really don't want our units bothering those guys that are using them for plowing snow and that type of thing, unless they've been extremely modified where they're loud and obnoxious," he said, adding that similar enforcement questions arise for horse-and-buggy users.
The sheriff also noted the department may recruit additional kitchen help for the jail and thanked County Maintenance for keeping the grounds and sidewalks clear during recent snow.
The commission did not take formal action on any staffing authorizations during the meeting; the remarks were presented as the sheriff's monthly informational report.
