By HOLLY GASKILL
A new full-time security position has been added by the Wells County Council.
The council voted Tuesday to add the position to its 2024 budget. Sheriff Scott Holliday previously proposed the role during budget planning but was not initially added to their roster due to a lack of information. Holliday provided a more in-depth look at the position Tuesday.
The courthouse currently has two part-time security positions, who ensure a safe environment and screen entrants into the building. However, no one is designated to coordinate schedules and supervise work. Holliday noted that a Bluffton officer has voluntarily helped with some security scheduling.
Holliday stated that compensation for the new position of court security supervisor would be roughly $43K-$52K annually, depending on the employee’s position within the pay matrix. He estimated this would be an approximately $8K increase from the current courthouse security budget. A full job description, including responsibilities and qualifications, was provided to the council.
In discussion of the position, several council members considered whether or not it was worthwhile, given that the courthouse is not experiencing problems.
“My fundamental question is, what is this going to improve for courthouse security?” Council member Brandon Harnish said. “Is it going to improve the security that’s provided? Or is this an administrative change that’s going to cost us more?”
Council member Vicki Andrews responded that the position would give regularity to security and become better acquainted with general operations.
“I think it could be good for the courthouse,” said Council member Seth Whicker.
The position was ultimately approved 7-0.
However, a raise for part-time courthouse security resulted in a split vote from the council members. Courthouse security, alongside all part-time county staff, had received a 3 percent salary increase in the 2024 budget, raising their rate from $19 to $19.63. Holliday requested the increase be to $20, matching the full-dollar raise his other staff had received.
Council voted 4-3 in favor of the raise. Council members Whicker, Todd Mahnensmith, Brian Lambert and Scott Elzey were in favor; Harnish, Andrews and Steve Huggins were against.
Both items were added to the 2024 budget, which the council held a public hearing for prior to their regular meeting. No one was present for public comment.
Likewise, no one was present for the public hearing regarding local income tax credits. The proposed ordinance will lower credits from 0.23 percent to 0.14 percent. By doing so, the county will retain these funds to support dispatch and EMS services.
Either item will be up for adoption during the council’s Oct. 3 meeting.
During the commissioner meeting — which was held preceding the council meeting because of Labor Day — Holliday reported that new flooring is being installed on the administrative part of the jail and crews are working on installing showers. They also have a new outbuilding for storage.
Holliday then celebrated that Ameresco, who conducted the jail renovation, should be making its last visit to the jail on Thursday.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Holliday reported there were 58 inmates in the jail — 21 of which were pre-trial holds for the Wells County Superior Court, 20 pre-trial Circuit Court holds, eight from the Department of Correction and four Level 6 felons.
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