Commissioners approve replacement vehicle, vacation carry-over for sheriff's office

During a special meeting Friday, Bourbon County Commissioners made the decision to allow the sheriff's office to purchase a replacement vehicle. Commissioners also voted to allow sheriff's employees to carry over unused vacation time.

Commissioners met with Bourbon County Undersheriff Ben Cole, Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center Jail Administrator Bobby Reed and Director of Security Alvin Metcalf, County Counselor Justin Meeks and Accountant Terry Sercer, who assists the county with its budget.

Sheriff Bill Martin did not attend the meeting.

Commission Chair Barbara Albright said the reason the commissioners wanted to meet with him was to determine how much money remains in the county's budget, then determine if the sheriff's office has enough money to buy a vehicle without doing a lease or obtaining a loan.

The sheriff is also wanting to purcahse a second vehicle for an additional deputy.

In November, an older Crown Victoria was involved in a cow-car wreck, she said. During a previous meeting,

On Tuesday, Cole said the county will receive $5,000 from insurance for the car. The insurance company will also pay to have the equipment removed from the car and new equipment installed in an SUV, as well as the decal work. A replacement vehicle will cost about $38,000.

During past meetings, Martin has said the equipment currently in the older Crown Victoria will not be compatible with a newer Ford SUV.

A second vehicle will be needed if the county decides to accept a U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented policing Services grant. During the first three years, the grant would fund 75 percent of the salary and benefits for an additional deputy. In the fourth year, the county would pay 100 percent of the salary and benefits and in the fifth year would determine whether to retain the position.