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County records $104,429.50 boat grant; creates Marine Sergeant to manage marine safety
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Summary
Oceana County accepted a $104,429.50 donation to buy a Marine Safety boat and unanimously approved creating a Marine Sergeant position, with sheriff’s staff citing recruitment and training challenges for temporary marine deputies.
Oceana County commissioners unanimously accepted $104,429.50 in funds received through the Community Foundation to purchase a new Marine Safety boat and concurrently authorized the Sheriff’s Office to create a marine sergeant position.
The board adopted Motion #2025-10 to increase revenue and expenditure lines by $104,429.50 for the boat purchase. The Finance committee packet records a $104,429.50 invoice to Asis Boats USA LLC for a new boat.
Undersheriff Ryan Schiller and Lt. Scott Bosley outlined operational challenges that informed the staffing request. Schiller said it is difficult to fill the required Marine Deputy post each year given the extensive duties. Bosley described the role’s complexity, including "detailed grant reporting, training and mentoring part-time employees, being the primary contact point for water emergencies, and coordinating with other agencies during water emergencies." The Board approved Motion #2025-12 to create a sergeant position with an appropriate wage package for the Marine Safety Division.
Chairperson Walker asked county counsel about the mechanics of the gift; the attorney advised that using a third-party intermediary to deliver funds poses no legal issue because the county does not know the donor’s identity. The Board accepted both the budget adjustment and the personnel change by roll-call votes.
The County will charge the boat purchase and any personnel costs to the Marine or Sheriff budgets as recorded in the meeting packet. No additional conditions or contingencies were recorded in the meeting minutes.