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Hamilton County approves sheriff grant and vehicle purchases, sheriff disputes mayor's article
Summary
The Commissioners accepted a $350,000 SB22 rural sheriff salary grant, a $100,000 ICE vehicle grant was noted, approved purchase of a 2026 Dodge Ram and an inmate transport van, and heard Sheriff Boulton say a local mayor's article relied on "rumors instead of facts."
County Judge James Yates and the Hamilton County Commissioners on Wednesday approved multiple grants and vehicle purchases for the sheriff's office and heard the sheriff push back publicly against a newspaper item.
The Court voted to accept a Rural Sheriff's Office Salary Assistance Program (SB22) grant agreement for $350,000. Commissioner Johnny Wagner moved to accept the SB22 grant and Commissioner Keith Curry seconded; the motion passed 4-0 with County Judge James Yates abstaining.
Why it matters: The SB22 funds are intended to support sheriff's salaries and operations in rural jurisdictions. County approval clears the way for the county to receive and administer the grant funds.
The sheriff's office also reported receipt of a $100,000 federal grant from ICE to purchase and outfit patrol vehicles. The department has ordered a 2026 Dodge Ram 1500 for a captain's patrol vehicle at an estimated purchase price of about $47,000 and about $3,000 to outfit it. Commissioner Johnny Wagner moved to approve the vehicle purchase; Commissioner Dickie Clary seconded. The Court approved the purchase 4-0 with Judge Yates abstaining. Commissioner Dickie Clary asked Sheriff Boulton to provide a written vehicle replacement plan.
The sheriff's office requested $30,000 from the Inmate Housing budget to buy an inmate transport van. Commissioner Dickie Clary moved to approve the transfer and purchase; Commissioner Keith Curry seconded. The Court approved the transfer and van purchase 4-0 with Judge Yates abstaining.
During the meeting Sheriff Boulton addressed an article published by City Mayor Richard Buchanan, saying the piece "was written based on rumors instead of facts." That comment followed the presentation of routine law-enforcement statistics for October 2025, which the sheriff's office reported as 101 reports, 14 arrests (11 males, 3 females), 305 traffic stops (106 citations and 220 warnings), seizure of 1.95 ounces of marijuana, 22 inmate transports and $250.40 in records-fee revenue.
What happens next: The county will complete procurement and outfitting of the approved vehicle and the sheriff's office is expected to provide the requested written vehicle replacement plan. Any further budget transfers will appear in future court business.
Attribution: Actions and votes recorded in court minutes; quotes and figures drawn from the court transcript.
