March 29, 2024

Sheriff to update supervisors on lightning strike at his office

Even the Jasper County Law Enforcement Center wasn’t spared the brunt during the recent wave of bad weather in the area.

Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty originally informed the Jasper County Board of Supervisors during the July 1 board meeting that the facility was struck by lightning. At the time, Halferty said insurance would cover the damages and estimated the cost for repair to be close to $100,000.

He noted the strike didn’t affect his office’s ability to perform emergency services but that it made things more difficult for his staff as it pertains to office duties.

At Tuesday’s board meeting, the sheriff will hold a discussion with the board on taking the next steps in making the center fully-functional again.

Halferty also will present his office’s yearly and quarterly reports and an amended version of his a previously approved quarterly report. The prior quarterly report encompassed January, February and March, and the newer quarterly report is for April, May and June.

For the 2013-2014 fiscal year, Halferty is reporting that his office had $725,988.02 in receipts and $729,143.94 in disbursements.

In his more recent quarterly report, Halferty reports his office had $191,668.20 in receipts and $193,379.53 in disbursements.

The amended version of the previous quarterly report shows the office taking in $159,101.77 and disbursing $146,635.27.

Halferty won’t be the only county official seeking approval for reports, as Jasper County Recorder Nancy Parrott will be submitting her office’s June report for approval. According to the report, her office collected $19,883.49 for the month.

In other business:

• Halferty will ask the board to appoint Vance Weltha and Amy Baldus as reserve deputies.

• Jasper County Engineer Russ Stutt will ask the board to approve the purchase a final pass compactor, a tool used in work resurfacing. The only bid on the agenda comes from Parkaman, Wyo.-based Bulldogger Services Inc. for $27,900.

Senior staff writer Ty Rushing may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 426, or at trushing@newtondailynews.com.