08-13-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 13, 2007 3251 Mr. Pawluk asked for a cost per mile of treated areas. Mr. Wolf said they do not figure cost per mile but do a cost per acre which is between $45 and $50 per acre based on the mix used and the cost of chemical. Last year over 5,000 acres were sprayed. MOTION, passed Mr. Bennett moved and Mr. Pawluk seconded to approve the 2008 preliminary budget for Weed Control in the amount of $396,619. Discussion: Mr. Pawluk said the county has a responsibility to leafy spurge on water ways and if leafy spurge is not treated on water ways, it ultimately pollutes the rest of the land. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 7. VALLEY WATER RESCUE Rob Bye, Pat Connor, Sherry Johnson and Pete Fendt were present and serve as volunteers for Valley Water Rescue. Mr. Bye said they have 20 volunteers on the team. Mr. Fendt said a trainer from New York state was hired to instruct their team in black water as well as under ice and fast water diving. He stated this brought the divers to a new level as they are trained in all types of conditions. Safety is always very important and a crew of at least five members is present when performing a dive with three members in the water and two on land for assistance. Mr. Bye said they have worked with the FBI and have had positive reviews. Their request of $38,100 for 2008 is the same amount they have requested the past five years. MOTION, passed Mr. Bennett moved and Mr. Pawluk seconded to approve the 2008 preliminary budget for Valley Water Rescue in the amount of $38,100. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 8. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT Sheriff Paul D. Laney was present as well as Chief Deputy Glenn Ellingsberg and Chief Deputy Jim Thoreson. Sheriff Laney explained that with changing times they are no longer just a response agency, instead they are focusing on being proactive. He is requesting three additional personnel in the 2008 sheriff's department budget: one patrol lieutenant, one school resource deputy (SRD) and one administrative assistant. The addition of a lieutenant and SRD would require two additional vehicles added to the fleet. He stated that the SRD is of high importance in an effort for community oriented policing to reach out and solve issues before they become problems. This SRD would serve as a liaison to the four high schools as well as provide back up patrol. The deputies have 1,700 square miles to patrol and with 12 patrol officers and 2 sergeants it is difficult to give attention to schools. This would also allow the development of rapport between law enforcement, students and faculty. In 2004 when emergency management became its' own department the administrative assistant divided her time between emergency management and the sheriff's department. Duties have increased to the point that the emergency services manager needs a full time assistant as does the sheriff's department. Sheriff Laney is asking for a patrol lieutenant as there is a need for more supervisors. Many times there is not enough staff to provide supervision to the field deputies. It is difficult for off duty officers to provide supervision and direction when events unfold. They currently have two sergeants assigned to patrol.