Sheriff reports staffing gaps; schools report lower enrollment; county allows Little Food Pantry placement

County departmental and agency heads presented quarterly reports and community items at the April 10 meeting.

Sheriff Balderson reviewed departmental activity, said dispatchers and the animal control officer were recognized for recent observances, and reported multiple vacancies in his office including deputies, an ACO, a school resource officer and dispatch positions. He said the sheriff’s office will participate in this year’s Drug Take Back program at multiple county locations and noted staffing remains a concern.

School Superintendent Dr. Carol Carter told the board the division’s current average daily membership is 801; the FY24 budget had been prepared using a projected ADM of 805, which she said equates to an approximately $54,000 reduction in state funding compared with budget assumptions. Dr. Carter also listed school-year events and promotions, and said divisions are working with the state on attendance-waiver questions originating in the pandemic period.

Jeff Davison of Republic Services said daily landfill tonnage is down from roughly 1,945 to 1,650 tons per day, that DEQ compliance inspections found no deficiencies, and that Republic has planned projects for 2023 including an outbound scale replacement and seeding of 8–10 acres. He reported complaints about speeding and route deviations by haulers and said reminders have been issued; commissioners asked about changes in independent haulers and truck mix.

Theresa Glidewell requested placement of small, self-contained food pantries to provide shelf-stable items in rural locations; the board agreed by consensus to allow placement of a Little Food Pantry at the Marriott School facility and suggested the telecenter as a future site after construction is complete.