Cost of Service Going Up for Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office

While it’s unknown exactly what the increases might look like, cities throughout Chickasaw County will likely pay more for law enforcement coverage from the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office.

During Monday’s (02.12) Board of Supervisors meeting, Sheriff Ryan Shawver addressed possible rate changes, which vary from per capita rates for non-contract service cities like Alta Vista, Ionia and North Washington to rates for set contract hour amounts with Nashua and Fredericksburg.

If those rates go up, cities could reduce the number of hours they contract with the sheriff’s office, although Shawver says that won’t make deputies any less busy.

Shawver added that if cities cut their law enforcement hours to cut costs, he’ll adjust accordingly within his own department.

Shawver said the only other County entity that never closes is the Chickasaw County EMS department.

Supervisor Travis Suckow expressed concerns from cities and citizens about rates going up while getting less service when it comes to enforcing city codes, which Shawver noted the department never has because their jurisdiction is based on state codes.

Supervisors took no action on the rates the sheriff’s office would charge to cities starting July 1st, when the new fiscal year begins.