IT resignation prompts council talk about retention and sheriff warns county may need more capacity if a casino comes

President Richard Shipe informed the council that an IT department employee had resigned and praised the worker’s contributions across IT, the Sheriff’s Department, Spillman coordination and backup for 9‑1‑1 radio dispatch. Shipe asked Sheriff R.J. Robinson how the resignation would affect operations and what replacement costs might be.

Sheriff Robinson said the departure will be keenly felt and that the sheriff’s office would likely need to hire at least one full‑time technician to cover sheriff‑specific duties; he noted the employee also supported Communications and IT tasks countywide. Robinson said he would like the council to consider wage increases to retain such staff.

Council members urged starting conversations about wages before the budget process. Ken Shelton said the county should work now to retain qualified staff and not be a training ground; Jim Getz added that the sheriff is generally supportive of a proposed casino because it would bring jobs, but he is concerned the county lacks the facilities and staffing now to police additional activity a casino could bring (more traffic collisions, fuel thefts, shoplifting and other service demands).

Shipe said he would discuss the matter with the Commissioners to determine appetite for pursuing retention and wage adjustments and to identify potential funding sources. No formal motions or appropriations addressing staff wages were made at the meeting.