Sheriff asks commissioners to raise Hope and Finley law-enforcement contracts by $200

The Steele County Commission voted July 11 to raise contracted law-enforcement fees for the City of Hope and the City of Finley by $200 each, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Sheriff Wayne Beckman told the commission he had discussed the increase with officials in both cities and that State Attorney Charlie Stock had reviewed the updated contract.

Commissioner Perry Brown moved to approve the increase and Commissioner Richard Strand seconded; “All members voted aye; motion carried,” the minutes record. Stock confirmed the contract language was ready for implementation. The sheriff also told commissioners the county will postpone a planned auction until fall because there are relatively few surplus items to sell, and the county intends to hold a multiple-seller auction then.

The decision was a formal motion and vote recorded in the minutes with no recorded dissent. The commission did not set a new dollar total for the base contract in the meeting minutes beyond the $200 increase per city; the change’s effective date was specified as Jan. 1, 2024.