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Sheriff Box urges LEC to help get state retirement plan to the CLB for approval
By WILLIAM NORTHCUTT
The Dyer County Law Enforcement Committee met on Friday, August 30, to discuss the jail building addition, sale of surplus vehicles and equipment, the purchase of new vehicles, and the adoption of the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS). Additionally, license plate reader placements were approved for vote at the County Legislative Body’s next meeting.
Attending committee members included Kim “Peck” Peckenpaugh, Robert Kirby, James T. “Bubba” Cobb, Debbie Bradshaw-Hart, and Mark Korn. Absent were Steve Sartin and Bradley Gray. Others present: Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box, Deputy Jeff Burns, Commissioner Doug Singleteary, Commissioner Terry McCreight, Dyer County Mayor David Quick, Dyer County Finance Director Amy Perkins, Dyer County Accounts Director Cari Jones, and Dyer County Administrative Assistant Beverly Ellington.
The committee voted unanimously to pass items on to the CLB for consideration. These included the sale of surplus vehicles and the purchase of new vehicles and equipment. Key to the meeting were discussions on jail bed building additions and Box’s urgent pleas for the county to opt into the TCRS for the Sheriff Department’s officers, including those at the jail and those who serve as SROs.
TCRS
Singleteary opened the discussion by asking, “Are there any updates to the TCRS?” Box told the committee, “We’ve already lost a very good SRO, Doug Robertson, and we’re fixing to lose another.” He said that because surrounding counties offer TCRS, his officers have no choice but to take those jobs. He urged getting the issue to the CLB for approval.
McCreight responded that he was at the last Finance Committee meeting and said the item is ready to move out. He suggested calling in the TCRS West TN Outreach Specialist Tim Joyce to explain it to the Finance Committee.
“Commissioners are ready to vote on this, and I am too,” said McCreight. “These younger people need this plan.” He added, “As wealthy as this county is, I think we can do it.” He also noted the number of counties surrounding Dyer County who have already adopted the plan.
Burns added, “It would be a great boon for this county to keep qualified people who have to take care of their families.”
Box asked Peckenpaugh if this committee could make a motion. Peckenpaugh responded, “ It’s with the finance committee, and it’s just sitting there.” He offered to contact Commissioner and Finance Committee Chairman Jimmy Hester and have him to invite Joyce to their next meeting.
Cobb remarked, “If we can’t get it out of Finance, we need to take it [straight] to the CLB.”
Quick said that pending grant moneys might help to fund TCRS plans for the officers.
Jail expansion update
The update began with Box informing the committee that on the old jail, the roof work was completed but had a leak that has been repaired, and he noted that the work was covered by a 30 year warranty. He said the problem arose most likely because workers had used the wrong glue.
Box then discussed the pending addition to the women’s jail. He noted that the bids would include a Schedule of Value clause, which meant that if they decided to change something in the construction—for example, getting something cheaper from another vendor—the county would have the right to do so. He added that TLM’s Mark Maddox said the Schedule of Value can be added to stipulations.
Box remarked that there will be a pre-bid conference on September 24 and that bids will be accepted on October 15.
Burns informed the committee that the shell is now up for the new building, as are utilities.
Korn asked, considering how during construction, needs are discovered, whether there would be “a lot of add-ons.” Box replied, “Not a lot.”
License plate readers
Box reminded the committee that his department has two license plate readers that they can take to various locations as needed. He remarked that one of the readers had alerted law enforcement of a wanted sexual offender attending a local sports event at Dyer County High School. He mentioned another stolen vehicle driver arrested after the license plate reader alerted officers. He also noted that Dyersburg has, in conjunction with other counties, placed license plate readers all down the Highway 51.
He said that the idea is to get license readers going coming into and going out of the county, working with surrounding counties and Missouri to do so. He also remarked that any time officials are alerted, the alert goes through a stringent verification—making certain, for example, that the correct state and numbers correspond to the vehicle in question.
He asked the committee to send to the CLB a request to mount four license plate readers at fixed locations. Burns enumerated them: 1) Highway 51S coming into Dyer County from Lauderdale County; 2) on Highway 412, coming into the county; 3) at the Trenton / Dyersburg exit on the 412; 4) on I-155 before the Great River Road exit (Exit 13).
Burns noted that if the committee approves and then the CLB approves, the matter then has to be submitted to the State of Tennessee for final approval. He also noted, “It’s not costing the county any money” and is covered by grant funds.
Cobb motioned to approve, Korn seconded, and the motion carried.
Surplus vehicle sales and new vehicles and related equipment purchases
Remarking that all vehicles but one intended for sale have over 100,000 miles on them, a Ford F150 with over 200,000 miles, Box remarked that a Durango has 77,000 but has spent more time in the shop than on the road. Burns noted that equipment such as sirens have been removed to be sold too and that the department was asking the committee for approval to sell.
Box, then asked for approval on the purchase of new vehicles and law enforcement specific equipment. The total for the vehicles, he said, is $571,674, which includes the purchase of 10 vehicles.
Peckenpaugh asked the date of delivery if approved, and Burns said the vehicles are expected to be delivered by the end of November 2024.
Bradshaw-Hart noted that law enforcement vehicles can be used for 3 years of service and then must be rotated.
Bradshaw-Hart motioned to approve, Korn seconded, and the motion passed to be sent to the CLB for final approval.