Linn County will continue to run courthouse security

Courthouse security will remain solely in the hands of Linn County sheriff's deputies, county supervisors decided this morning. The decision will add more than $200,000 to the sheriff's budget in the fiscal year beginning July 1.

On a 3-2 party-line vote, supervisors decided not to hire private security guards at the courthouse and the new juvenile justice building. Republicans Brent Oleson and John Harris voted against the motion by Linda Langston.

Although Sheriff Brian Gardner has said he wouldn't allow deputies to participate in such an experiment, Oleson said he wanted to further investigate a joint operation with deputies supporting private guards.

“I don't think it can be all or nothing,” he said. “Ninety-eight percent of the work that's done is basically screening people's baggage. I think a hybrid is probably something we need to look at.”

Private guards' lack of arrest authority was key for the the majority.

“It was about price,” Ben Rogers said. “We've seen the price. Now it's, does the board feel we can provide the same level of security? Arrest power - to me, that's the real sticking point.”

On Jan. 5, the board discussed estimates from local security firms for the detail. The firms' estimates, not formal bids, ranged between $170,000 and $290,000. Staying with sheriff's deputies means the county will pay $366,000 over the next fiscal year at the courthouse and spend about $226,000 to staff the juvenile justice center on Second Street SW, set to open next fall.

“I am satisfied with my review of the sheriff's department (service),” said Supervisor John Harris before casting his vote with Oleson's. “I'm not satisfied that I've got enough information from the private security companies. I'd rather see more formal review.”

“The uniform security in the sheriff's department tends to defuse a lot of potential violent behavior,” said Supervisor Lu Barron. “They're there, they can take action. That's what I want.”

The board also heard from Deb Zumbach, treasurer of the Linn County Fair Board, on the board's request for an additional $5,000 over the board's present $50,000 appropriation.

Zumbach said the new money will pay for more security and temporary rest rooms at the Central City fairgrounds to handle larger crowds. Attendance has grown from 7,000 in 2006 to last year's 25,000.

“We are trying to keep our fair a destination for Linn County,” Zumbach said. “A place to bring the family out for an evening.”

Supervisors will act on the request during the budget process over the next month. Oleson said he'd support the fair board's request.

“It's an educational, social activity that's one of the core functions of Linn County government,” he said.