County highlights grant‑funded patrols and requests funding for electric‑vehicle rescue training

A law enforcement speaker described recent weekend saturation patrols funded through a state grant that reimburses overtime costs to participating agencies. The speaker said the initiative targeted seat‑belt and alcohol violations and was carried out with Iowa State Patrol; the speaker said the county receives reimbursement for deputies’ overtime after the project, typically a check received about a month later. The speaker reported roughly 40 stops and multiple arrests on one recent operation and described the project as productive.

The board also heard a request from fire and rescue departments for roughly $2,000 to pay for specialized training on electric‑vehicle rescues. John Stacy, referenced in the discussion, warned that inadequate training can be dangerous and said responders have been injured while attempting rescues. In the meeting someone stated, without named supporting evidence, that "seven rescue people [have been] killed by walking up, grabbing the door handle, electrocuted." The board discussed using local option sales tax or county funds to help pay for the training and members said they would consider the request.

No final appropriation was recorded in the transcript; the discussion was to explore possible funding sources and bring the request back for formal agenda placement if the board wishes to authorize a payment.