Commissioners approve grant for security improvements at the Marshall County Courthouse

Friday, October 11, 2024 at 1:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hassel and Court Security Officer Duane Culp asked the county commissioners for approval to apply for a matching grant to purchase a new X-ray machine at the courthouse's main entrance and to relocate the security table.

On Monday, the commissioners approved their request to apply for a matching grant to improve court security.

Culp is working with Marshall Superior Court III Judge Matthew Sarber on the interior courthouse improvements. He said the current X-ray machine is 15 years old. The new machine he would like to purchase can detect not only metal but also explosives.

Commissioner Kevin Overmyer asked about the grant amount, and Culp said it would be $40,000 to $45,000. The required 50% local match will be the new cameras previously approved by the commissioners for improved court security. No additional funds will be needed.

Culp also explained that, as the first line of defense, officers currently sit with their backs to the front door. They will rearrange the security table at the lobby entrance so officers don’t have their backs to the door.

Sheriff Hassel also brought up the 2024 agreement with Quality Correctional Care (QCC), the company hired to handle medical care at the county jail. While the county has been paying the 2024 monthly fees, a new contract was never sent for signatures. During some litigation, it was discovered the new agreement hadn’t been executed, so the sheriff asked QCC to send an agreement for 2024. When the agreement arrived, County Attorney Jim Clevenger tried for several months to add language that would make it easier for the County to enforce the indemnity provisions of the contract and tried to require QCC to maintain higher insurance liability limits. His requests went unanswered by QCC.

“To clean this up, the commissioners and the Sheriff should complete the 2024 contract, ” said Clevenger.

The commissioners approved the current agreement with QCC agreement through December 31, 2026.