Henry County close to naming jail transition official

BY BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

A coordinator for the jail transition program should be announced shortly, Henry County supervisors were told during their regular meeting Thursday.

Sarah Berndt, coordinator of disability services/general assistance director for the county, said six candidates were interviewed for the position and the list was pared down to three finalists. ?I felt comfortable with all three candidates,? she said, adding that an employment offer could be made today (Friday).

Sheriff Rich McNamee also interviewed the three finalists recently. McNamee agreed with Berndt, saying a consensus was reached on ranking the candidates from first through third.

During his report, McNamee said a new deputy has been hired. The deputy will be attending the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston and is expected to begin his duties with the county on Jan. 11, 2016. When the new deputy begins his duties, the sheriff?s department will be at full strength for the first time since September 2014.

?It?s been a busy summer and fall,? McNamee continued. ?We have had 19,077 calls thus far this year, which is a little higher than last year at this time.?

The sheriff also said a new patrol car was included in his fiscal 2016 budget and it will be purchased next year.

In other department head reports, Joe Buffington, county director of planning and zoning, said building permits are up 10 percent over last year, and he expects 2015?s final total to be the highest since 2009.

Walt Jackson, county emergency management coordinator, said he is planning an extensive disaster exercise for March of 2017. He said it would be a full-scale exercise, spread over two days. ?I?m thinking of a search-and-rescue exercise at Oakland Mills,? he stated.

The supervisors told the department heads that courthouse repairs were nearly completed for the year. The structure was caulked and tuck-pointed last month, and Bix Basement Systems, of Ft. Madison, will be finishing its sealing project on the west and north sides of the courthouse this week.

The Supervisors meet again in regular session on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m., at the courthouse.