Lake County officials to apply for court security grant

Lake County is going to apply for a court security grant.  County Commission Administrative Officer Shelli Gust told county commissioners during their meeting Tuesday that the Unified Judicial System has ten-thousand dollars in funding available for courthouse security grants.  She said that the grant is a 50-percent match if the county’s project is selected to receive some of the funding.  Gust said that Sheriff Tim Walburg recommended that the county apply for some of the grant funding to go toward the purchase of a portable, standing metal detector.  She said that Walburg will work on the grant application, which is due in mid-April. 

Also on Tuesday, commissioners approved a wage adjustment for Austin Powell, who has been doing some part-time work as a correctional officer.  She said that Powell’s wage needed to be adjusted since he had not worked for the department since 2019.  Commissioners approved increasing Powell’s wage from $14.42 to $16.74 an hour, effective immediately. 

Commissioners Tuesday also acknowledged the resignation of a county Highway Department employee.  Highway Superintendent Nels Nelson told commissioners that Nathan Keller had resigned from his position as a Heavy Equipment Operator as of March 8th.  The commission acknowledged Keller’s resignation and authorized the advertisement for a full-time Heavy Equipment Operator position.  

A new member of the county’s Planning Commission was also appointed by the commission on Tuesday.  Zoning Officer Mandi Anderson said that Planning Commissioners received and reviewed the applications of those interested in serving on the board to fill out the remainder of Craig Johannsen’s term.  She said they recommended appointing Dan Hansen to the position.  Hansen will serve out the remainder of Johannsen’s term, which runs through the end of 2022.