By HOLLY GASKILL
Headway has been made in identifying a persistent sewer issue at the Wells County Jail.
Sheriff Scott Holliday told the Wells County Commissioners Monday that contractors were brought out to the jail and used smoke to identify multiple hairline cracks in the cast iron pipes. Holliday originally stated he would work with Havel for the project but contacted Superior Enterprises of Fort Wayne due to wait times.
Holliday said Superior Enterprises did not believe anything was broken underground but that the pipes had simply aged.
Most issues have already been resolved, but Superior Enterprises needed to order parts for two sections. Holliday said he would also monitor the issue, as additional smoke testing may be needed. In total, the project cost $1,300.
Holiday also gave a quarterly update to the Wells County Council on Tuesday, where he provided an update on the Wells County Courthouse activity through the new full-time security position. Between April and June, courthouse security detained 11 people — either on warrants, remands or sentencing. They also confiscated 64 knives, 19 pairs of scissors, and 24 other potential weapons.
Holliday said he would soon investigate potential repairs or replacements to the courthouse metal detector. “The X-ray machine in there is about as old as security has been,” joked Holliday. “So we have been looking at different costs, whether it’s worth trying to maintain what we currently have or if there’s better equipment that we can do.”
The council then asked if the county had a full staff, and Holliday said he was just under a complete staff for deputies and the jail. Holliday said he’s been in the hiring process for a deputy for several months but advised there’s not as much interest as there once was.
During the Monday commissioner meeting, Holliday reported 81 inmates were housed in the Wells County Jail — this number decreased by one by his report to the County Council on Tuesday. Of the Tuesday total, 40 inmates were pre-trial holds for the Circuit Court, 27 pre-trial holds for the Superior Court, 12 from the Department of Correction and two Level 6 felons.
Both the Wells County Council and commissioners heard an annual report about county 911 dispatch, represented by Director Mike Miller. Miller said the department is currently operating with 10 of 15 budgeted dispatchers, adding, “I don’t even know if I’m going to get all 15 by the end of 2025.”
However, Miller gave an overall positive report of the budget and current staff. The city of Bluffton and the county share dispatch services and costs through an interlocal agreement.
Citizens Against Drug Abuse also gave their annual report to the council and commissioners, represented by board members Molly Hoag and Chris Walker. CADA uses court fees from drug cases toward grants combating drug use in the community.
In 2023, CADA collected $19,784.86 in fees — $4,946.22 of which was used for education and prevention, $4,944.22 for treatment and intervention, $4,496.57 for judicial needs, and $4,946.20 for administrative needs of the group.
The council also approved the following fund transfers:
• CASA: Additional appropriations of $200 for lodging, travel and conference fees, $772 for volunteer recognition, and $300 for room rental, which will be reimbursed through a grant.
• Auditor’s Office: Additional appropriation of $2,500 for the auditor stipend, as previously approved by council.
• County Election Board: Additional appropriation of $2,500 for the clerk, as previously approved by the council.
• Clerk’s Office: $7,424 from part-time, $649.94 from Social Security and $500 from supplies for professional services. Clerk Beth Davis stated a part-time employee, previously working for the office as a high school student, has continued digitizing records through the summer.
• Highway Department: $2,100 from radios to office records and supplies. Highway Supervisor Shawn Bonar said the new county engineer, Nate Whitacre, required a laptop, and there was no need for new radios this year.
holly@news-banner.com
