Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Law Enforcement Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Morgan County commission approves bailiff hire and hears proposal for sheriff's drug dog
Summary
The commission approved the hire of a bailiff (Mr. David Graven) and heard an extended presentation from sheriff's office representatives on the costs and training needs of adding a drug-detection canine; commissioners asked for a budget and further research before committing to the canine program.
The Morgan County Commission approved a personnel hire and heard extended discussion about a proposed sheriff's drug-detection canine during its Feb. 18 meeting.
An on-record motion to hire Mr. David Graven as a bailiff was made and approved; staff reported a start date on or about Feb. 23, 2026, at $17 per hour with benefits.
The sheriff's office presented a proposal to add a drug-detection dog, describing the recurring and one-time costs involved. "There is a huge expense that comes with dogs," the presenter said, outlining handler pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act, food and veterinary costs, equipment (vehicle cage and heat alarm) and training travel and time. The presenter cited a legal requirement for a half-hour of paid time per day for the handler under FLSA case law (identified in the discussion as Levering v. District of Columbia). Commissioners and staff discussed potential funding avenues, including opioid-related funds and external grants, and emphasized the need for a written budget before moving forward.
Commissioners asked the sheriff's office to research grants and regional training resources and to return with a budget. No formal appropriation for the canine program was made at the meeting.
