Also tweak compensation board’s salary recommendations
~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
Security at the Greene County courthouse has moved into the 21st century. Last year, the offices of the county attorney and the clerk of court were updated to provide greater security for staff with glass at the service counters and locking doors between staff and the public.
The entire courthouse is now equipped with security cameras and key-less locks have been installed on the exterior doors.
County attorney Thomas Laehn presented provisional policies for courthouse security cameras and courthouse access to the board at its Jan. 28 meeting.
Laehn said policies are necessary to cover the use of new security cameras which are already in operation throughout the courthouse and a new door access system using programmed key fobs.
Laehn said the cameras have livestream video and audio capability as well as recording capability. According to Laehn, the audio livestream and recording functions raise questions of protection for private communication, such as between client and attorney in a hallway.
The live feed from the cameras goes to the Greene County sheriff’s office, Information Technology office, and the law enforcement dispatcher, he said.
“No one can view a live feed without permission of the county sheriff or auditor,” Laehn said. “In courtrooms, judges must approve the use of cameras before they can be used.”
After hearing the provisional policies, the board unanimously approved the Greene County courthouse access provisional policy and the security camera provisional policy.
The board also, once again, discussed policy for music played from the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower.
“We have to be diligent in taking care of the gift given to the people of Greene County,” board chair John Muir said.
Muir was referring to the bell tower, the subject of on-going controversy due to lack of written policies as to operation. The board of supervisors silenced bell music until the Bell Tower Community Foundation can provide written policies.
Supervisor Pete Bardole, ex officio member of the Foundation, reported he and Laehn had attended a Foundation meeting at which in-depth conversation took place about policies for playing live music at the carillon.
Laehn said the main question is whether outside groups should be allowed to request the music being played live at the carillon.
Laehn said the Foundation is in favor of allowing outside groups to make requests.
“The Foundation has a list of Mahanay Maestros (musicians who volunteer to play live music on the bells). There are some requirements (to become a Maestro) and the Foundation controls that,” Laehn said.
“The Maestros can pick their own music but at the end of the year, 50 percent of the music played should be patriotic or sacred,” he explained.
That is stipulated in the will of Floyd Mahanay, the carillon benefactor who died in 1947. “We have a legal obligation to respect the will,” Laehn said.
Laehn called for county residents to contact the supervisors with thoughts so “the supervisors can gather information” to make decisions.
Policy discussion will continue.
The board reviewed recommendations from the compensation board for salaries of elected officials to become effective July 1. The recommendations were for a 3 percent raise for the county attorney, auditor, recorder, treasurer, and supervisors, and a 5 percent raise for the sheriff.
The supervisors noted that due to the pandemic, many county residents are experiencing financial stress.
After discussion, the board lowered the compensation board’s recommendations by one-sixth. That results in a 2.5 percent raise for attorney, auditor, recorder, treasurer, and supervisors, and a 4.16 percent raise for sheriff.
The board directed a final compensation schedule be presented at the public hearing on the county budget.
Salaries will increase as follows: attorney, from $104,432 to $107,042; auditor, from $64,870 to $66,492; recorder, from $62,832 to $64,403; sheriff, from $81,029 to $84,400; treasurer, from $62,707 to $64,275; and supervisors, from $28,893 each to $29,615.
