Part of Clark County's Truck Saga is Resolved
Thursday, April 30th, 2015 -- 11:44 AM
-Part of Clark County's truck saga, between the County Board and the Clark County Sheriff, has been resolved.During the closed session portion of their meeting last week, the Clark County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment that allowed Clark County Sheriff Greg Herrick to take possession of the truck he ordered a few months ago without the approval of the County's Law Enforcement Committee.
This all began several months ago when the sheriff purchased new vehicles for the Sheriff's Department, which was in the department's budget to do so in 2015, without the approval of the committee, which is normally done. Initially, the LEC approved all the purchases, but the purchase of the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck was approved under protest as they had concerns as to why the sheriff chose that particular vehicle. Later, the LEC passed two motions, one denying the sheriff from taking possession of the truck; the second denied him from selling two old squad cars. Sheriff Herrick then took action against the LEC by filing a civil suit against them stating they were exceeding their authority and impeding his ability to fulfill his constitutional duties as sheriff.
At the injunction hearing held on April 1st, Portage County Judge Eagon Thomas denied the Clark County Sheriff's injunction against the committee stating it didn't meet legal requirements. However, he also said that he felt this committee, and the county board, was exceeding its authority and had no right keeping the sheriff from taking possession of the vehicle. He said the sheriff should have the right to take it as the county has already purchased it and they have to pay for it either way. He also felt the case was trivial and hoped that both parties could reach an agreement before the next court date, a telephonic scheduling conference, on July 22nd. The LEC wouldn't budge however, and during a meeting held after the first court date, they passed a motion keeping the sheriff from the truck until a further decision was made by the County Board.
According to the minutes of the April 22nd Clark County Board of Supervisors meeting, after discussion by the county board, in closed session, they approved three amendments regarding the previous motions made during the LEC meetings. The first was allowing the sheriff to take possession of the truck to fulfill his constitutional duties and authority which passed 23 to 3. The second was allowing him to sell the two squad cars at the discretion of the LEC which passed 26 to 0. And the final, was authorizing Corporation Counsel Jacob Brunette to write a press release on behalf of the county board in regards to the previous two amendments which passed 25 to 1.
The issue is not completely settled yet, however, as the second part of Sheriff Herrick's civil suit is trying to, essentially, eliminate the LEC's oversight into the department's budget. Sheriff Herrick's department has taken possession of the truck and it has been outfitted with the appropriate lights and equipment and is in use.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.