Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Sheriff's office to hire one deputy

Nevada County Justices of the Peace approved the hiring of one deputy to replace a deputy who is leaving the countys force. The vote to allow the hiring was required because the county has placed a freeze on all hiring in county government. By a vote of 5-4, JPs agreed that Nevada County Sheriff Steve Otwell could hire one deputy.

Those who voted against allowing Otwell to make the hire cited several reasons for their opposition, including the fact that Otwell will be replaced by sheriff-elect Bobby Carlton in January. As with any new administration, theres a possibility that the new sheriff will make staff changes once hes in office.

Another issue that arose during the meeting was the fact that Otwell has reportedly dismissed all auxiliary officers. The county has traditionally called on those officers for searches and the officers are allowed to volunteer for specific duties. There were some who said the auxiliary deputies should have been used more rather than being dismissed.

JP Willie Wilson disagreed. He said the auxiliary deputies dont have the same training as regular deputies and have the option of reporting for duty only when they want.

We put a moratorium on hiring because of budget issues, Wilson said. He said the fact remains that the salary for that deputy is already included in the budget and that its irrelevant who serves as that deputy so long as the salary is equal or less than whats budgeted.

I cant see us having a problem with it, Wilson said.

JP Bob Cummings asked to table the issue to give members of the quorum court time to research the subject. Wilson asked how waiting could help, to which Cummings responded, Money.

Wilson said he felt the safety of the county residents required that the sheriffs office replace the deputy who is leaving.

JP Myrna Waters cited the fact that the county must have deputies on duty, and that it would cost the county more in overtime if the county is short a deputy. Waters said she is also concerned about the county residents who depend on those deputies in crisis situations.

The hiring freeze was reportedly put in place as the county looked for ways to make ends meet for the remainder of the year. The freeze requires that county officials arent to replace anyone who quits and the goal was to eliminate the need to lay off anyone who is currently employed by the county.

What happens when the county runs out of money? Cummings asked.

Well do what we always do, Wilson responded. Well find the money.

JP Curtis Johnson said the only option if the county faces a shortfall toward the end of the year will be to deal with layoffs at that time. He said any newly hired officer should be aware of that possibility.

In my opinion, thatll be a bridge to cross when we get there, Wilson said.

Im concerned about response time, Waters said.

But how many calls do you get about response time now? asked JP Susie Key.

Cummings, Key, Arval Mason and George Cleary cast the dissenting votes.

Otwell was reportedly on vacation at the time of the quorum court meeting.

In other business, JPs voted to retire Narco, a 13-year-old drug dog who has been handled by Chief Deputy Larry Miller. Narco was also donated to the Miller family. In the words of Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown, the donation was made since the county does not need a retired dog.

* JPs approved a measure to move responsibility for maintenance of the 911 tower from the sheriffs office to the 911 coordinator.

* Members of the countys budget committee were approved. Cummings said his request to start the process early this year is based on the fact that there will be three new county officials in 2007.

* JPs asked Brown to set aside eight parking spaces at the front of the courthouse for courthouse business only and to eliminate smoking by county employees on the front porch of the building. Brown said hed designate the back porch as a place for smoking and that hed take care of the parking designations.