Audubon County adopts ordinance to create Reserve Deputy Program after public hearing

The Audubon County Board of Supervisors voted June 30 to adopt Ordinance No. 1, creating a Reserve Deputy Program for the county sheriff’s office.

The ordinance, approved following a public hearing that opened at 10:33 a.m. and closed at 11:05 a.m., authorizes the sheriff to appoint reserve deputies who must meet state minimum standards and operate under the direct supervision of a certified peace officer. It references training and weapons authorization in accordance with Iowa Code Chapter 80D and Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 10 and affirms that reserve deputies will be covered by county liability insurance when acting within the scope of their duties.

During the meeting, Engineer Mitch Rydl presented comparative wage information for area county road superintendents and noted interviews for a potential shared Road Superintendent position. The public hearing produced no record of formal opposition in the minutes. After discussion, the board moved to adopt the ordinance; roll call recorded ayes from Kent Grabill, Don Mosinski and Heath Hansen and the ordinance was signed and attested by Chair Kent Grabill and Auditor/Clerk Chassity Musfeldt.

Supporters of a reserve program say it can supplement sheriff’s office staffing for special events and training periods; the ordinance text specifies appointment, duties, limits on authority, training requirements, weapons authorization subject to sheriff approval, and procedures for suspension or removal.

What happens next: the ordinance takes effect upon final passage, approval and publication as required by law. Implementation details such as hiring, specific training schedules, and whether reserve deputies will be volunteers or paid are left to the sheriff under the ordinance’s terms.