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Supervisors move deputy funding out of county attorney’s fine-collection budget and into general levy after security debate
Summary
After discussing courthouse security needs and alternatives (in‑house deputies vs contracted armed guards), the board voted to fund a sheriff’s deputy from the general levy rather than the county attorney’s fine-collection budget and asked staff to return with cost scenarios for mixes of deputies and contracted guards.
Black Hawk County supervisors debated courthouse security at length March 3 and voted to fund a sheriff’s deputy from the general levy rather than charging the position to the county attorney’s fine-collection budget.
Board members described an obligation to provide armed guard coverage if the courthouse enforces a weapons restriction, and discussed trade‑offs between relying on county deputies and contracting with a private guard service. One board member said keeping two deputies at the guard station offers a more reliable internal presence, while others noted contracted services such as Per Mar could be refreshed for comparison.
A motion was made and carried to move the deputy’s funding source out of the attorney’s collection account and budget it through the general fund so that the cost is not borne from the attorney’s restricted revenue. The board asked staff to return with detailed cost scenarios that compare reducing contracted guards and increasing deputy presence and to provide refined contract numbers where applicable.
The board also discussed potential part‑time retired officer hires as a staffing option and asked staff to examine benefits thresholds and contracting options for part‑time security.
