More Jailers Needed
Deputy Sheriff Keith Burnett asked the Glasscock County Commissioners Court Dec. 11 for two part-time jailers to help him manage inmates the county houses for Howard County. He said the jailers are needed mostly on weekends, so he can have occasional time off. He said there are currently no inmates, but there will be more beginning Jan. 2, if the jailer situation is worked out. For several months, the county has been intermittently keeping eight to twelve men. They work on various county projects seven or eight hours daily, but must be supervised during that time, and someone has to respond to any calls from them at night.
County Treasurer Alan Dierschke said if the number of law enforcement personnel in the sheriff’s department goes above 4 (excluding elected officials), time sheets would be necessary and the county will have to pay or give comp time for overtime hours, which the commissioners court opposes. Burnett asked that Tisha Burnett be changed from a jailer to a dispatcher, which is considered civil, not law enforcement, leaving only Burnett himself and Leroy Hoelscher as jailers and freeing a jailing job; the court agreed. Burnett said Hoelscher inspects the jail, but does no inmate management. Jailers are paid $100 per month. [Nancy Hillger and Tina Flores are considered tax office employees.]
Housing Prisoners for Others May Stop
Burnett said he has tried to get Howard County to provide some jailer help, but they have refused. Commissioners seemed to agree that unless something can be worked out to give Burnett some relief without time sheets and overtime compensation, the county will have to give up the business of housing prisoners for other counties. For now, the county intends to hire one part-time jailer.
Remediation of the mold problem in the courthouse basement is underway.
The court discussed a new fire truck for Garden City, to replace one that is said to be in bad shape. There is money in the budget for the truck, but no order for one has been placed. Burnett said the truck will be badly needed during the spring fire season.
The court also discussed and approved an estimate of $5,300 for new carpet for courthouse offices. The estimate was from Southwest Floors at $20 per square yard.
Extension Agents Warren Multer, Charlene Belew and Rebel Royall reported on 2006 programs.