SCSO talks budget, changes

THOMPSON FALLS – A number of issues were covered on Wednesday morning at the Sanders County Courthouse as the monthly sheriff’s update was held in the building’s conference room.

Representatives from the Sanders County Sheriff’s Department were on hand to discuss operations, including budget forecasts, with the Sanders County Commissioners starting at 10 a.m.

A number of topics were covered throughout the course of the informational meeting, which was open to members of the public. Union negotiations, alternative-parking procedures during the Sanders County Fair and updated plumbing in the County Detention Center were just some of the items on the morning’s agenda.

As the commissioners begin moving forward in constructing the county’s budget for the next fiscal year they are looking to get specific numbers regarding specific financial obligations.

The commissioners requested the sheriff’s department finalize their upcoming union contract as soon as possible.

“You guys are going to have to really hurry on that contract,” Commissioner Tony Cox said.

Commissioner Carol Brooker echoed Cox’s sentiments adding it would be best to adopt the next budget with numbers from the department’s union contract.

Moving away from budgetary issues, the commissioners directed the discussion towards the Sanders County Fair, which was currently underway in Plains.

Specifically, this year’s fair featured a new handicap parking set up, moved from its on street location in previous years, to the lot adjacent to the fairground’s pavilion.

Brooker encouraged the members of the sheriff’s office in attendance to reach out to Fair Manager Mike Hashisaki and discuss this year’s changes in format noting the alteration from previous years may draw questions from fair attendees and lead to confusion.

“It is important and it’s going to be an issue,” Brooker said.

Returning to fiscal issues the sheriff’s department reported its progress on budget planning.

Detention and dispatch supervisor Shawna Chenoweth mentioned the laundry schedule at the detention center was to be altered in an effort to create a solvent budget for the coming year.

“In light of the budget we are looking at some different options,” Chenoweth said.

The sheriff’s office also stated the county’s contract with Verizon in regards to the tower on Clark Mountain is up, adding the telephone company was looking to renegotiate the terms of the previous agreement.

Chenoweth said Verizon is currently leasing the site and reimbursing the Forest Service for use of the land.

“They think they are double paying,” Chenoweth said.

The meeting then moved towards the commissary fund.

Chenoweth addressed the confusion regarding the commissary fund stating the $5,500 was currently in the general fund instead of under the department’s account.

“The deposit was made towards the general fund and not the account,” Chenoweth said.

Before the meeting closed, Sanders County Clerk and Recorder Nichol Scribner voiced her concerns over financial obligations if the county agreed to the department’s request for new vehicles.

“We have budgeted $49,000 this year and that is going to increase our obligation next year,” Scribner said.

Scribner added the assessments predicted the obligation would rise to a total of $65,000.

Undersheriff Lanny Hensley said the department’s fleet was getting up there in terms of mileage and they were adopting strategies to address the issue.

“Some of these old ones are such a liability, we have talked about officer’s sharing vehicles. We are not issuing take home cars anymore, but then they are going to mile out twice as fast,” Hensley said.

Hensley added safety was the main concern as the department’s fleet continues to age. The undersheriff noted the older vehicles could cause issues for the department and the public.

“My big worry is someone gets in a vehicle that has close to 200,000 miles on it and something comes apart when they are responding to a call,” Hensley said.