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Madison County board postpones revised sheriff-fee ordinance after liability and insurance concerns
Summary
The board debated changes to sheriff fee schedules based on a consultant study and postponed final approval for one month amid unresolved liability, insurance and policy questions about providing sheriff security to private events.
Madison County Board members on June 16 debated a proposed ordinance that would overhaul how the sheriff’s office charges for services, but postponed final action for one month after members asked for clearer policies on liability and insurance.
The ordinance would replace a long‑standing flat-rate model—previously $65 an hour—with rank‑based hourly rates that incorporate overtime and holiday differentials recommended by a fee study from MGT Consulting. County staff said the old rate, last updated in 2015, did not fully cover payroll, pension and benefits costs. “It was a straight time rate that was done,” a county staff member said, adding the updated figures reflect fully loaded costs for sworn personnel.
Board members repeatedly pressed for details on who pays for liability and what insurance protections would be required when sheriff deputies provide security at private events or for outside entities. “If they get out there, they get shot, should the people of Madison County be responsible for this?” asked board member Mike Eaker, prompting assurances that the county would review insurance requirements and examples from other counties.
Several board members also asked for a clearer policy about which events the sheriff’s office will accept and whether the county should be competing with private security firms. “We will continue to look at that,” Chairman Kurt Prenzler said, noting other jurisdictions require third‑party insurance for outside events.
The county’s finance staff and the sheriff’s department requested the fee update to ensure services provided to external parties are priced to recoup county costs. After discussion, County Board member Erica Harriss moved and the board voted 17–6 with one abstention to postpone consideration until the July meeting so members and county staff can develop policy language on insurance, event selection and related liability concerns.
The board and staff said the revised rates are expected to make the county’s billing more accurate, but that implementing a recurring fee review schedule and formalizing insurance requirements are next steps.
The county clerk recorded the postponement vote; the ordinance will be returned to the board in July for further review.
