Dubois County Council meeting October 29

The Dubois County Council heard a request from Dubois County Prosecutor Kevin Crouse to purchase a new Computer Voice Stress Analyzer to add to the Sheriff’s Department to help in obtaining information from suspects.

Crouse explained that the Department does have an old unit that is out-of-date and is becoming cumbersome to operate and unreliable. The Sheriff’s Department has a Deputy that is trained to use the unit. Crouse asked for $5,000 to be used towards the new unit, which includes trade-in of the old one.

The council approved advertising for the item and then will bring it up for a final vote in the November meeting.

Meanwhile, Crouse was given approval to purchase an in-car video and radar system for the Drug Detective’s vehicle in the Sheriff’s Department. Crouse had asked for $5,000.00 from the County forfeiture account, which is funded by money seized in drug deals. Crouse made the request in the September meeting.

Sheriff Donny Lampert asked for and was given permission to seek the purchase of the Yamaha Rhino Utility Vehicle that is currently under lease agreement at no charge and which the Department has been able to use for a year. The vehicle is coming off of that lease and will have to be returned. The Council asked Lampert to see if another lease agreement could be obtained but if not, authorized the purchase at $10,000.

Lampert also reminded the Council that he is still asking for another jailer at the Security Center. Lampert also said, during a sometimes-contentious exchange with several council members that state and federal laws are going to begin to require the Sheriff’s Department to have to train and certify jailers on the same level as Deputies.

Lampert told the Council that  if they do not follow these mandates, the County could be barred from receiving grant money for other projects. The Council said that they have no problem allocating money for another jailer, but that proof needed to be submitted by Lampert that the need is real and can be verified.

Lampert told the Council that his request for another jailer would not go away and would increase in intensity in the coming months until something is done to alleviate the need.