Logan County Board reviews safety needs for Coroner Deputies and Assessor's Office

[June 20, 2016]  LINCOLN - On Thursday, June 16, 2016, the Logan County Board held their monthly board Workshop to hear committee updates and place motions on the agenda for Tuesday's Regular board meeting. One focus of discussion was whether the coroner's deputies should have open carry firearms. The board also discussed funding for safety measures at the Assessor's Office.

Insurance and Legislative Committee Chairman Scott Schaffenacker said he would make a motion Tuesday for the coroner's deputies to open carry firearms while on duty. Schaffenacker said it is for transparency purposes.

Ruben asked whether they would have open carry training.

Sheriff Steve Nichols said the coroner's deputies have to go through a 40 hour training course.

Board member Kevin Bateman asked the opinion of the law enforcement officers.

Nichols said he would not want them to. He said police officers are better off having concealed carry.

Board member Miles Craig, a local police officer, said he has a mixed opinion on the issue. Craig said the topic has come up because of "everything going on in the media" and "some of the dangerous scenarios they are sometimes involved in, [coroner's deputies] wanted to have the option of safety because law enforcement isn't always able to be around."
Craig said in Logan County, law enforcement is usually there before the coroner's deputies.

Craig said open carry may make the public nervous.

Bateman said he would vote no for open carry because it "puts people on edge."

Board member Emily Davenport said she wants to ensure the deputies would only carry firearms when they are on call.

Funding for safety measures at the Assessor's Office

Finance committee chairman Chuck Ruben said he would make a motion Tuesday for a budget amendment to move $2,000 from the major criminal cases fund to the Assessor's Office for safety work in the office.

Ruben said the work would be to put a door from the counter over to the wall, and a put a plexiglass shield up at the counter, so there is some separation between the employees and the public.

Ruben said Sheriff Nichols has also talked to Simplex about getting a panic alarm in the office.

Ruben said it is a "small incident at the assessor's office that has prompted some safety concerns."

Sheriff Steve Nichols said people come in both the east and west door. He said securing the west door would give office personnel a barrier and time to hit a panic button or call 911 in case of an incident.

Nichols said a few recent incidents have occurred with people coming in upset about increases in their property taxes.

Nichols said an individual became upset when told there were no options when there were some options. Nichols said the individual calmed down when someone finally told him of a few options. A communication gap and the individual's demeanor were other factors in the situation.

Ruben said it would also be helpful if office personnel had some training on conflict resolution.

Chairman's report
Board Chairman David Hepler said Apex had an open house Wednesday that he attended. Apex will need a variance and an amendment, and will have public hearings in August or September.

Hepler said the Sugar Creek Wind Farm project is still slated to begin construction the second quarter of 2017 if everything goes well.

Hepler said Invenergy is planning an open house soon to provide visibility and transparency. He said they may try to open an office in Lincoln or Atlanta.

Hepler said he has had call from Senator Rose's office about Exelon. From Champaign, Rose represents the Clinton/DeWitt County area.

Board member Pat O'Neill said there is still a chance the Clinton Power Plant could stay open if legislation is approved. O'Neill encouraged board members to write letters.

The board will next meet Tuesday, June 21, 2016 to vote on motions and resolutions.

[Angela Reiners]