~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
County attorney Thomas Laehn is leading an effort to build Greene County’s reputation as a place not to break the law. Justice, like all things, has a cost.
As part of the discussion of sheriff Jack Williams’ quarterly report of fees at the supervisors’ April 22 meeting, the higher cost of justice was mentioned.
Williams reported the sheriff’s office had spent money sending a deputy to Kansas to return a subject to Kansas. Earlier this year two deputies traveled to Ohio to bring back someone who fled rather than reporting to serve a prison term.
Laehn explained to the board how his office and law enforcement decide on whether to pursue out of state warrants on people. Laehn said his office is being more aggressive about this, but that there is increased cost to taxpayers. He recalled one of his law professors asking, “How much justice are we willing to pay for?” In general, decisions are made based on the severity of the offense, he said.
Williams’ quarterly report showed a total of almost $55,000 in fees was collected from Jan. 1 to March 31 of this year. The largest amounts were collected from the Greene County towns of Grand Junction ($11,500), Scranton ($8,000), and Churdan ($6,700) as payment for law enforcement services. Weapons permits brought in $2,250 and tobacco compliance brought in $1,000. Williams noted the current K-9 unit will be retiring in a few years and it is time to think about putting money aside for a replacement K-9. The cost runs around $13,000.
Laehn has also put in considerable effort assuring the county’s contracts and policies protect the county from potential lawsuits. On Monday he cautioned the board about the current written policies concerning appeals of denial of general assistance. He stated that welfare is considered a form of property, so denying assistance requires a well-stated appeal process. Laehn’s review of the current written policies and procedures indicated to him that some work needs to be done.
Laehn spoke Monday about new assistant county attorney Laura Barnaby Snider, who will begin work May 1. She graduated from Drake Law School in 2009 and began her legal career in the Webster County attorney’s office.
She is familiar with Greene County through her work in the public defenders’ office from 2011 to 2017. During that time she was attorney for the defense in many Greene County cases. She entered private practice in 2017 as a partner in Johnson, Bonzer and Barnaby PLC.
Snider will continue in private practice but will practice only family law. She will give up her criminal defense work in order to become a prosecutor in Greene County. Laehn reminded the supervisors that by law, prosecutors can’t do criminal defense.
Snider will work 15 hours per week in Greene County, doing magistrate court on Wednesdays, indictments on Fridays, and juvenile court on the third Tuesday of each month. She will be paid $40,000 a year, no insurance benefits, but 60 hours of vacation per year. Snider will be an “at will” employee, meaning that her services can be terminated for any reason or if not needed.
The board unanimously approved Snider’s contract.
Chuck Wenthold reported that he had received notice of permits for the Wenger pork site and the Brown pork site.
Board member Dawn Rudolph reported on DCAT funding for Lutheran Social Services of Iowa to continue to do mental health therapy through the schools. She described a recent situation in which LSI connected a student with emergency services, probably preventing a tragedy. Rudolph also discussed the concept of tele-health and mental health services but said there was no money available as of now for it.
Rudolph also reported that “rough figures” are in for renovations and the elevator in the courthouse.
From the gallery, Chris Henning thanked Rudolph for a recent letter she had written for local newspapers concerning current issues in agriculture. Henning encouraged the board to call or email legislators about the formation of a blue ribbon committee to study a review of the master matrix.
The board signed a certificate for Jerry Roberts, the recipient of the 2019 Greene County Community Impact Award to be presented on Sunday, June 2, during a ceremony in the courthouse rotunda.
