County Council approves funding for Courthouse security upgrades, approves supporting bridge safety program
Measure aims to enhance safety with metal detectors, scanners
The Dubois County Council has approved $35,000 in funding for new security equipment at the courthouse and annex building. The decision came during Monday’s council meeting after a presentation by Tammy Humbert, Director of Dubois County Emergency Management.
Humbert requested $34,622.07 for metal detectors, handheld scanners, and a bag scanner. The equipment will be installed at both the courthouse and annex building entrances.
Humbert noted that a state grant application for the equipment had been denied, necessitating the request for county funds. She emphasized the long-standing need for improved courthouse security.
“This is equipment that we’ve needed for many, many years,” Humbert told the council. “I’m just really passionate about getting this done. It should have been done a long time ago.”
The security upgrades include two walk-through metal detectors, two handheld scanners, and an X-ray machine for scanning bags. Electrical work totaling $2,200 is also included in the cost.
Council members unanimously supported the measure, with some suggesting rounding up the allocation to $35,000 to provide a contingency buffer.
The council also discussed which department would be responsible for the new equipment. After some debate, it was decided the sheriff’s department would oversee the inventory and maintenance.
“I feel like sheriff’s department actually should hold the inventory on it,” Humbert said. “The security officers report to the sheriff’s office if there’s something that’s going wrong with a piece of equipment.”
In other business, the council heard a request from Wyatt Madden, director of Dubois County Community Corrections, for a fund transfer to cover salary and benefits for an administrative assistant position. The council approved the transfer of $5,271.31 from the Jail Academy Training and Misdemeanor Fund.
Madden also proposed adding two night shift officers to the community corrections staff. He cited data showing that in 2024, 33 percent of night shifts were covered by non-night shift officers, leading to burnout concerns.
“It’s pretty tough on mid shifters and day shifters covering night shifts,” Madden explained. The council agreed to revisit the staffing request at their January meeting.
County Highway Engineer Brent Wendholt presented information on a federal aid program to upgrade guardrails on 60 county bridges. The $4.4 million project would be funded through a 90-10 split, with the county responsible for $440,000.
Wendholt requested council approval to move forward with the project, which would take place in 2028. The council unanimously supported the measure.
“It’s a great deal,” Wendholt said of the federal funding opportunity. “We’ll be much better shaped” to address safety concerns on older bridges, he added.
Wendholt also requested $93,000 for design services to rehabilitate Bridge 78, located on County Road 600 and Division Road. The council agreed to consider appropriating the funds at their December meeting.
The council also:
- Approved $100,000 for the Dubois County Sheriff’s Office as an additional appropriation to cover $60,000 in utilities and $40,000 in inmate medical expenses.
- Approved $14,000 for the upgrades to sheriff’s vehicles.
- Discussed updating the 60-plus-year-old HVAC control/thermostat system in the courthouse. The system has issues where some areas are freezing while others are too hot, and it is difficult to control the temperature evenly throughout the building. The proposal is to install a new HVAC control system that can better regulate the air handlers and temperature throughout the building. This would likely be more energy efficient as well. The commissioners wanted to get the council’s approval before putting the HVAC control system project out for bids, as it is estimated to be a significant expenditure. The council was in support of seeking bids.
- Heard county’s proposed budget for the upcoming year has received preliminary approval from the state without requiring any cuts. The county’s tax rate is set to increase slightly from $0.3091 to $0.3102.
- In final business, the council reviewed dates for their 2025 meeting schedule and discussed plans for a presentation ceremony for a recently completed bench project for the Angel’s Memorial at the Dubois County Park.
