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Sheriff outlines operations as commissioners debate charging cities by call volume
Summary
The sheriff gave a detailed briefing on staffing, training mandates and city contract overage hours. Commissioners debated a proposed contract model combining a base fee and call‑volume charge; a motion to permit any city to sign the current offer failed on roll call.
Sheriff's staff provided a presentation on the Grant County Sheriff's Office functions, staffing and calls for service, including a breakdown of calls and contract overages by city and township. The sheriff said the office is budgeted for 11 sworn officers (7 road deputies, two investigators, a chief deputy and a sheriff) and described training and equipment requirements imposed by state mandates.
"It's the goal to provide a safe and crime free atmosphere," the sheriff said while describing operational responsibilities for patrol, civil process and emergency response. The briefing set the stage for a prolonged debate among commissioners about how to fund contracted city policing. One commissioner proposed a two‑part model: a base contract fee plus a usage charge based on each city's share of calls. "There should be a base amount...and then we're gonna charge you based on your calls," said a commissioner advocating the plan.
The board considered allowing individual cities to sign the county's existing offer if they wished, but a motion to allow any city to sign the current offer failed on a roll‑call vote. Later the board voted not to accept a counteroffer from one city and directed the public safety committee to refine options and return with a recommendation before the end of September.
