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Council declines commissary hotel charge, defers commissary resolution pending SBOA clarification; advertises funds for courthouse security positions
Summary
The Dubois County Council voted 3–4 to deny a sheriff’s request to pay four hotel rooms from the Jail Commissary Fund, deferred a broader commissary disbursement resolution pending State Board of Accounts guidance, and agreed to advertise an appropriation to create two courthouse security positions.
Sheriff Tom Kleinhelter’s proposals on commissary spending and courthouse security drew extended council scrutiny. The council denied a request to pay hotel expenses from the sheriff’s commissary fund and delayed adopting a resolution that would permit routine commissary disbursements until the State Board of Accounts provides clarification.
Kleinhelter asked the council to approve payment for four hotel rooms at French Lick Resort for attendees at a sheriff conference from the jail commissary fund. Doug Uebelhor moved to approve paying for the rooms, but following discussion the motion failed on a 3–4 vote because members concluded the expense did not follow the Employee Policy and Procedures Handbook; those voting against the motion were Daryl Schmitt, Sonya Haas, Meredith Voegerl and Michael W. Kluesner.
Earlier, Kleinhelter presented a proposed Resolution Authorizing and Permitting Disbursement from the Dubois County Sheriff’s Commissary Fund, citing Indiana Code 36‑8‑10‑21. After a lengthy discussion the council did not adopt the resolution as presented and requested further clarification from the State Board of Accounts; the sheriff will continue to provide semiannual commissary reports on July 1 and Dec. 31 as required by IC 36‑8‑10‑21(e). The council asked for more detailed commissary reporting showing reasons for expenditures under IC 36‑8‑10‑21(d)(1‑9).
Separately, Kleinhelter briefed the council on courthouse security upgrades including metal detectors, bag scanners and upgraded monitoring systems and said the Board of Commissioners had approved creating two new Courthouse Security Team positions pending funding approval by the council. The council reached consensus to advertise for an additional appropriation to create the positions (wage classification CPOLE III to be paid from County General in the Jail budget). The Emergency Management Agency has applied for a grant to upgrade cameras and monitoring.
