Board approves one‑year sheriff services agreement with Heffner; vehicle reimbursement question unresolved

The Morrow County Board of Commissioners approved an intergovernmental agreement to provide law‑enforcement services to the City of Heffner that designates two deputies. County staff explained the new contract is for a single year at the city's request rather than the prior two‑year term, and that the change has implications for a vehicle purchase the county had budgeted with the expectation the city would reimburse roughly $44,000 for the vehicle (not outfitting costs).

County staff said the budgeted capital outlay anticipated city reimbursement; with the city moving to a one‑year agreement and signaling it may not purchase the vehicle at contract end, staff asked the board for guidance on whether to proceed with the vehicle purchase. Commissioners discussed pausing the purchase until the reimbursement situation is clarified; the board approved the contract (with a scrivener’s correction agreed during the meeting) and directed staff to coordinate with legal and the city on the vehicle matter. The county also approved a separate intergovernmental agreement for sheriff services with the City of Erie (mirroring prior terms with a wage increase).