Supervisors Continue Legal Battle With EMA/911

Mahaska County Courthouse

The Mahaska County Supervisors approved a 28E agreement between the Mahaska County Conservation and the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office in regards to an updated law enforcement policy that specifies when the two departments work together, and their roles, among other things.

If the Mahaska County Conservation has its staff become certified peace officers, it helps to clarify that each department is responsible for their costs and liability if assisting the other department.

Mahaska County Sheriff Russ Van Renterghem told the Supervisors that “you know any law enforcement officer that’s been through the academy and is certified can assist any of the law, but it’s a good idea just that we agree to maintain our own vehicles, provide our own fuel, provide our own liability coverage, that kind of thing. You guys have heard me say before that I feel very confident when someone can successfully graduate from Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. I would trust them to assist us more than not so. Like Dave said, we did work with Jim on it and he looked into it, and he thinks it’s a good deal. We actually have one with Marion County.”

The motion passed the board unanimously.

A public hearing for designation for Prairie Wind Urban Renewal Area is set for September 4th, 2018 at 9 am.

The board then approved sending a follow-up letter to the Emergency Management Commission and the E911 Board after the EMA attorney made a recommendation for a E911, attorney because he felt it would be best that each entity have their own legal counsel.

The next Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for August 20th, 2018 at 9 am, 3rd-floor conference room of the Mahaska County Courthouse.