A discussion regarding a Marion County Sheriff Deputy position started the Marion County Board of Supervisors regular session Tuesday.
The deputy position was put on the agenda by Supervisor Chair Kisha Jahner, as there is currently an opening. Jahner had suggested moving current Mental Health Deputy Derek Lanser into that vacant spot to backfill the position, which would ultimately result in eliminating a position in the sheriff’s department. This resulted in a back-and-forth discussion between Jahner and Sheriff Jason Sandholdt at the meeting. Sandholdt stressed the importance of Lanser’s position as the mental health deputy, but also believes that his department still needs the other position, which is waiting to be filled due to his staff already being stretched thin.
The mental health deputy and vacant position are already factored into the annual sheriff department budget, however the mental health spot is funded through the Heart of Iowa Mental Health Region, which will be closing on July 1st. The county will no longer receive that funding. Jahner stated she wants to be fiscally responsible with county taxpayer dollars, but Sandholdt says it is still unclear if funding could come in from the state level to help pay for that position later on. There were many representatives from different entities in the county there to support the sheriff’s department on this agenda item, claiming their department had been positively impacted by the mental health deputy position. Ultimately, the board decided to close discussion and not move forward with any action until they can see what state funding, if any, could come in.
Also at the meeting, the board approved moving forward with sealed bids for
road department disposition of county property, appointments for the county development commission, and heard an update on the Marion County Economic Development Director position vacancy. Board member Jim Mueller said the position has been offered and accepted and is just pending a physical. In a special session later in the morning, the board had a work session regarding the county comprehensive plan.
