By HOLLY GASKILL
In light of House Enrolled Act 1158, the Wells County Commissioners have decided to draft a local ordinance regarding contracts with and approved by county officials.
The act, authored by State Rep. Matt Lehman, allows counties to add stipulations for contracts with county officials, like that provision that any potential litigation must occur within the county. It also permits county commissioners oversight on contracts signed by county officials.
On Monday, the County Commissioners instructed County Attorney Ted Storer to begin drafting an ordinance for the county, which would be effective with the act on July 1.
Sheriff Scott Holliday had first discussed the act with the board during its May 6 meeting, saying that contracts without costs to the county did not have to be under the purview of the commissioners. Storer disagreed at the time, but revised his statements Monday — “The sheriff’s comments from last meeting and today’s are all very astute,” he clarified.
During his regular report, Holliday advised 82 inmates were in the Wells County Jail on Monday — 44 were pre-trial holds for the Circuit Court, 24 for the Superior Court, 10 from the Department of Correction and one Level 6 felon.
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