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Longtime member of the Calhoun Co. Deputy Sheriffs Civil Service Board, attorney Loren Howley, expressed concern to the Calhoun Commission this week about the duties of Randy Holcomb, employed by Sheriff Carl Ballengee.
Holcomb has had various job titles as an employee of the sheriff's department, first employed as a temporary part-time deputy. He is currently employed as a court bailiff.
Howley said 911 records indicate Holcomb is performing duties as a deputy, which she says is inappropriate. She produced copies of Holcomb's 911 calls.
Sheriff Ballengee said Holcomb was just assisting other officers.
Howley said Holcomb's duties as a court bailiff does not permit him to act in a deputies capacity and is an insurance liability for the county.
Howley also said Holcomb's use of a county sheriff's vehicle to commute from Grantsville to Clay County as a bailiff is a liability risk for the county.
"This is nothing personal toward the sheriff or Mr. Holcomb, but this is beyond the scope of a bailiff duties," Howley said, who continued to state the sheriff's department is understaffed.
"If the proper procedures are not followed, I must resign for the Deputy Sheriffs Civil Service Board," she continued.
County commissioner Kevin Helmick said the commission approved Ballengee's request to hire Holcomb as a temporary part-time deputy and then as a bailiff, and had conditionally stated Holcomb was not to drive a cruiser for commuting from another county as a bailiff.
Commissioners said they were aware that they have little authority to supervise the operations of the sheriff's department, but are issuing a request to Prosecutor Shannon Johnson for clarification regarding their authority regarding a number of issues related to Holcomb's hire.
Sheriff Ballengee told the commissioners he would continue to advertise for a part-time deputy.
Following a letter issued by Calhoun 911 Director Kathy Wood regarding Holcomb performing beyond his bailiff job duties, Sheriff Ballengee responded that Holcomb has "court security as a job title, but does not necessarily cover his job description."
"Randy Holcomb is a certified police officer...and still has arrest powers...also assisting Bob Groves with civil process as well as home confinement."
Sheriff Ballengee could not produce a written job description to the commission for Holcomb's duties.
"It is my opinion (being certified) that this qualifies Randy Holcomb to run 10-27s and 10-28s (driver's license/vehicle registration) through the state," Ballengee stated.
Commission president Chip Westfall said the commission will follow the advice of the prosecutor with the matter, particularly related to legal liability.
Other commission action:
- Issued a request to the prosecutor to advertise for a forensic audit of the defunct Calhoun Emergency Ambulance Service.
See CALHOUN COMMISSION MOVES ON FORENSIC AUDIT OF DEFUNCT CALHOUN EMS
- Approved poll workers for the Feb. 1 Emergency Services and Criminal Justice Levy, in addition to other dates the commission to meet regarding that voting.
- Commission approved to hire AIO Recovery Group that will audit county spending for savings, at no up-front charge for the service.
- Brent Wellman, Minnie Hamilton EMS director, gave a monthly report regarding ambulance service, indicating response times are continuing to improve.
- Jim Sullivan reported to the commission that the Wood Festival will be held June 5-7, and that the committee is working with Oshel Craigo (Ginos/Tudor Biscuit World) to continue to use his property this year, after which the festival will likely be moved to Wayne Underwood Field.
- Commission approved $40,000 in funding for a fire alarm system being required for the courthouse, using Community Participation Grants.
- The commission approved dates for meetings as a Board of Equalization.
January 31, 2014 3:30-4:00 p.m. - Managed Timberland
February 10, 2014 11:00-12:00 a.m. - Industrial and Oil and Gas and Minerals
February 14, 2014 12:00 noon-1:00 p.m.
February 20, 2014 3:30-4:30 p.m.
February 25, 2014 3:30-4:30 p.m.
February 27, 2014 9:00-10:00 a.m. - Action on Managed Timberland
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