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Fiscal Court orders second sheriff SUV, approves outfitting and discusses radios and transport staffing
Summary
On June 17 the court authorized a second Ford Explorer and an outfitting package for the Sheriff's Office, approved two transport deputies for the jail, and debated new radios (quotes show a Kenwood quote ~ $44,741.20). Several operational questions about vehicle repurposing and court‑security transport authority were discussed.
Spencer County Fiscal Court on June 17 authorized purchase of a second 2020 Ford Explorer for the Sheriff's Office and approved purchase of an equipment/outfitting package, while also approving two deputies for prisoner transports and continuing debate over replacement radios.
The court voted to order a second Explorer (motion by Magistrate J. Moody, seconded by Magistrate Travis); all present voted "aye" except Magistrate Beaverson, who voted "nay." The court also authorized purchase of the same emergency outfitting package from L & W Emergency Equipment. The outfitting estimate presented to the court included lights, siren/switch boxes, console, and partition components (vendor estimate $7,758.45). Magistrates discussed trade-offs between repairing the wrecked 2012 Dodge Charger (body-shop estimates ranged from about $4,269 to $6,014) and buying new units.
Staffing: Jailer Melvin Gore proposed hiring one male and one female transport deputy paid $40 per run and $10 per hour for other part-time work; the court approved the hiring (pending background checks and drug testing) and agreed those positions would be funded from the Sheriff's budget through year-end.
Radios and equipment: The Sheriff's Office and several magistrates reiterated an operational need to replace county radios; a Kenwood quote from J&N Electronics for new portables and mobiles totaled about $44,741.20. Some magistrates asked for additional used-radios quotes; Judge Riley urged moving forward because communications reliability was a serious safety concern. No radio purchase vote was taken.
Legal/operational debate: The meeting included an extended discussion about the role and authority of certified court-security officers to transport prisoners versus transports performed by Sheriff's deputies, with the court reviewing KRS 70.280 and KRS 15.310 language. The Jailer and several magistrates emphasized the division of transport duties and safety considerations.
Quote: "...it was time, and that they needed to move forward with the radios," Judge Riley said, urging action; the Sheriff argued that new radios should be purchased rather than used units because reliability is critical to emergency response.
Ending: The court completed the orders for the second Explorer and the outfitting package and approved hiring transport deputies. Radio procurement was left open pending additional quotes; magistrates directed staff and committees to continue work to identify specifications and funding options.
