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Commission demands sheriff return county truck after dispute over vehicle assignment
Summary
Following an executive session at the Jan. 26 work session, Chairman Charles Coffey asked the sheriff to return a county truck to the County Manager by the stated deadline or provide the previously promised trade; the county manager had reported the vehicle had been taken or held at the sheriff’s residence without completed county assignment paperwork.
A dispute over county vehicles prompted an executive-session discussion and a directive from the chairman during the Jan. 26 work session.
County Manager Thomas Weaver told the commission that the county purchased and outfitted a truck that later was taken to the sheriff’s residence without completed county inspection, insurance, tags or assignment. Weaver said an earlier verbal promise to trade a different truck had not been fulfilled. Commissioners expressed concern about custody, insurance risk and the need for written policy. Commissioner Jason Frost said the county must have control of county-owned property and cited risks if vehicles are used without tags or insurance.
The commission entered executive session at 10:08 a.m. by unanimous vote. After returning to open session at 11:39 a.m., Chairman Charles Coffey stated the matters discussed were within open-meetings exceptions and requested that the sheriff return the truck to the County Manager’s office by noon Friday or provide the truck previously promised as a trade. The minutes record that the subjects discussed included personnel and legal matters; no public vote changing policy was recorded at the meeting.
Why it matters: The discussion highlights a governance and property-custody dispute between the governing body and the sheriff’s office and raises questions about whether formal county policy governing vehicle acquisition, assignment, and custody is adequate.
What’s next: The board added a vehicle-policy item to an upcoming agenda for further drafting and formal action; staff will present proposed language and options for formal policy at a future meeting.
