Commission hears proposal for evidence/clerk role, asks county attorney to review pay-arrear question

During the work session, staff and commissioners discussed a proposed job description for a clerical position that would take responsibility for evidence-room management, logging-permit checks, periodic field follow-ups and routine office reports to free deputies for patrol duties.

Presenters described the position as primarily clerical—processing evidence, maintaining chain-of-custody documentation and performing follow-up on logging permits—and said the employee could be sworn as a reserve deputy to perform limited duties under sheriff supervision if needed. Commissioners stressed that evidence custody and access remain subject to custodial laws and that any staffing decision would need policies to restrict evidence-room access.

Separately, commissioners raised a personnel-pay question about whether the county can pay arrears for an employee who did not accept a previously offered raise. Several commissioners suggested asking the county attorney to examine the legality and fiscal implications; the chair and others requested a resolution to task the county attorney with that review so the issue can return to the commission with legal guidance.

The commission did not adopt a final resolution at the work session but agreed to place the evidence/clerk proposal and the county-attorney review on the next regular meeting agenda for formal action.