Sheriff urges new patrol/rescue boat; commissioners discuss vehicle replacements and Vivitrol program

The sheriff told commissioners the county's boat (purchased used; hull and motor model years cited) is undersized for rescues and difficult to use with the department's underwater drone and body‑recovery needs. He requested a new boat with a larger workable deck and said an appraisal showed a trade-in value of roughly $24,000 that would reduce net purchase cost.

"Getting a body on board from a recovery is extremely difficult" with the current boat, the sheriff said, describing multiple recent lake recoveries and rescues and noting the department’s responsibility for search and rescue. Staff placed a recommended replacement price near $56,000 and said trade-in proceeds would be applied to the purchase.

The discussion broadened to other sheriff‑related budget items: deputies assigned as school resource officers (SROs) do work outside standard school hours, and commissioners debated paying overtime rather than comp time for officers whose schedules make it hard to take compensatory leave. The sheriff said he had requested additional overtime funding to avoid burning officers out.

Commissioners also heard an update on the jail’s Vivitrol medication‑assisted-treatment (MAT) program. Staff said the grant-funded program remains active, participants who leave the facility after receiving Vivitrol have lower return rates, and the county has partnered with peer‑support providers and EMS for continued treatment access.

No formal action was taken at the meeting; staff said they would refine trade-in and procurement options and review overtime funding options in the context of the final budget.