The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office brought several items to the Oceana County Board of Commissioners for approval at their Thursday, March 26, Finance and Administration meeting.
One of these items was an allowance for the Sheriff’s Office to sell a forfeited vehicle used in the commission of a crime. The 2015 Ford F-350 was central to a criminal investigation for its use in transportation and storage of a significant amount of methamphetamines, as well as several unauthorized and modified firearms. As the former owner was successfully charged with "possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, felony firearms, and possession of a short-barrel shotgun,” and will be spending the next 10-20 years imprisoned, the truck and title were lawfully forfeited to the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff Craig Mast, who presented the item, also took the opportunity to lightheartedly dabble in used-car sales as he invited the commissioners to take a look at the vehicle - currently stored at the office’s carport - and even partake in a test drive, assuring they’d “look good driving it.” The diesel truck currently has 162,000 miles and is in good condition, with an estimated resale value between the mid-$20,000s and low $30,000s. The sheriff’s office is entertaining all bids, requesting that interested parties send bids in writing to the office or electronically at sheriff@oceanasheriff.net. The proceeds of the sale will go towards updating county officers’ handguns, however, should an appropriate bid not be made, the truck will be kept for the office’s use.
Following Sheriff Mast, Lieutenant Scott Bosely presented a proposal for a county drone program. The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) has been looking toward securing their own drone program for some time, as they are currently outsourcing drones from other law enforcement agencies and emergency response departments. Said Bosely, “We need to be self-reliant in using [drones].”
The drone manufacturer Skydio comes recommended by law enforcement across the nation, including Kent County, which invested heavily in its drone program. The model in question boasts features such as quality cameras, a dropper mechanism, a spotlight attachment, full GPS capability and the ability to livestream video footage through a QR code link. Several sheriff deputies are already underway in pilot training in preparation for the purchase, totaling $29,572.17, with funds to be used from the Oceana Community Foundation.
Commissioner Tim Beggs spoke highly of the investment and reiterated the need for a drone program, calling it “a wonderful asset to have at our fingertips.” With Commissioner Paul Erickson stating he believes “this is another instance that shows us the value in our Oceana Community Foundation. We’ve now reached $24 million in assets in our Community Foundation, and the report just came out, and it shows how valuable [it] has been.”
The final proposal from the OCSO came from Sheriff Mast and Golden Township Supervisor Rob Draper for the purpose of hiring a full-time deputy dedicated to the service of Golden Township. While the idea is not new, the news that Golden worked to create a sustainable funding mechanism for the purpose of securing a deputy is. As of now, the Golden Township Board has agreed to raise fees for owning and operating short-term rentals in the township to offset the cost and use as a revenue stream for a deputy, currently amassing the funds to pay for $145,000 worth of salary and benefits, purchase of a patrol car, and other associated startup costs. Said Draper of the township board’s decision, “We feel like we need it. It's something that’s been in the works for a long time. We think we’ve figured out a way to bring the money up to make that happen.”
Commissioners had reviewed the contract, which still needs finalization, brought forward and agreed for the necessity of having a deputy dedicated to the township, especially during the summer months when the population is at its peak. Some suggestions for the job description and contract included a more robust contract termination process, the addition of peacekeeping roles for aiding the zoning administrator, and the utilization of an office in the township hall.
All three of the sheriff’s department proposals, from car sales to hiring a deputy, were approved unanimously by the board of commissioners.
Troy Maloney of the Oceana County Emergency Management presented a lease agreement renewal and a memorandum of understanding with the 211 call-answer system. The lease agreement renewal is with Enterprise and includes the upgrade of the emergency vehicle to a larger model. The upgraded lease would be for $586.53 per month, with a one-time cost of $790 for Hains Specialists to transfer equipment from the old to the new vehicle.
The commissioners approved the lease agreement, as well as the memorandum of understanding between emergency management and the 211 call-answer system, which helps unload the call-in burden on 911 dispatch and dispense accurate emergency information at no cost.
The Board of Commissioners also approved the replacement of three metal doors in the county courthouse basement for $11,949 by Cisco Inc., with an amended 10% contingency should other fees come from the transportation and installation of the doors.
For department head reports, Maloney and Sheriff Mast both returned to the podium to update the board on other business not related to their previous proposals. Maloney has been recently elected to vice chair of the Region 6 Homeland Security Executive Committee and said he was happy to inform the board that “Oceana is being represented at that high level throughout the state of Michigan and through Homeland Security.”
For Mast, the discussion of the metal courthouse doors prompted his request for a repair consideration for the outdoor steps between the county jail and the courthouse, which are frequently used by the bailiff in escorting inmates between the two buildings.
Before the close of the regular meeting, the Board of Commissioners heard two public comments on behalf of the Oceana Grassroots Residents Advocating for Community Elders (GRACE) group, who have raised scrutiny regarding the Oceana County Council on Aging (OCCOA) and its management. Mary Sloan, who has come before the commissioners previously, reiterated the group’s mission, their support of disabled seniors (whom they believe are underserved by OCCOA), and the perceived lack of accountability and transparency from the Council on Aging. Mary Lulich inquired about the proper process for requesting a ballot referendum regarding OCCOA’s county-wide millage and was directed to the county clerk for that information.
In response to these ongoing concerns regarding the OCCOA, Walker asked if the board would allow the administrator to contact the county attorney for a legal opinion on the type of control the board has over millage funds after they’ve been dedicated. Said Walker, “I think I know the answer to it, but I would like to get a legal opinion on it just so, when the public asks that question, we have something from the attorney to go by.”
