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Council approves adding a fourth sergeant to sheriff's patrols, funds part-time security for government center
Summary
After a personnel committee recommendation, Whitley County Council voted unanimously to add a fourth sergeant in the sheriff's office to provide supervisory coverage across four squads and approved additional part-time security hours for the government center; staff discussed timelines, pay and advertising plans.
Personnel committee reported its recommendation to add a fourth sergeant to cover the sheriff's four-squad 12-hour rotation; the committee said the change would not add overall headcount but would promote an existing deputy to sergeant so squads would have on-site supervision.
Sheriff Jason Spencer and personnel committee members described situations that require a sergeant on shift (major events, barricades, negotiated incidents, call-outs) and said a fourth sergeant would improve incident response and supervisory communication. The promotion would follow merit policy and a two-week posting period before promotion.
The council also discussed adding part-time security coverage for the government center to ensure staff and public safety during business hours, with budget estimates discussed (figures of approximately $50,000 to $56,000 per year were cited as ballpark numbers depending on hours and staffing mix). Members discussed hourly rates, eligibility for benefits if hours consistently exceed 30 per week, and the need to build the amount into the 2027 budget.
A motion to approve adding the fourth sergeant for the sheriff's department and a separate motion to authorize hiring additional part-time security staff for the government center were both moved, seconded and passed unanimously. The council also approved an updated building inspector job description as presented by the personnel advisory committee.
