Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Equipment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Constable tells court he needs radios and vehicles, urges review of elected-official pay
Summary
A Harrison County constable requested $18,240 for radios (not covered in the county radio grant), asked to join the county vehicle rotation and said constable pay lags comparable roles; he presented outfitting cost options and urged the court to address elected officials’ salaries.
A constable addressed the Harrison County Commissioners’ Court to describe key budget items for his office. He said constables were not included in grant writing for the county’s new radio system and requested $18,240 to buy radios so his office can communicate on the new system. He also asked to be placed on the county vehicle rotation and requested consideration of a 4x4 vehicle because many service locations require travel beyond county roads.
On vehicle outfitting, the constable said an initial quote from Bobcat Communications to outfit a vehicle was about $14,000 but that, by transferring existing equipment and purchasing only necessary non-interchangeable items, the outfitting cost could be reduced to roughly $7,308. He offered to provide the court with additional quotes and documentation.
The constable also presented salary-comparison figures showing a gap between constable pay and sheriff’s department pay if certain state SB 22 monies are excluded, and argued that the constable’s duties—particularly civil process and paperwork—are comparable to higher-paid roles and deserve pay adjustment. He asked the court to take notice and consider raising elected officials’ salaries.
The court thanked the constable for his remarks; no formal vote on the constable’s requests occurred during the session.
