After repeated requests to the Athens County commissioners, Sheriff Pat Kelly will likely receive the funds to hire a new deputy in July.
However, before the commissioners grant Kelly $34,000 for a new deputy, they’re waiting to see the outcome of Kelly’s case with former Sheriff’s Deputy Shannon Sheridan.
Sheridan was fired from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office in June 2012 for allegations of insubordination and sexual harassment. Sheridan is appealing the firing, said Commissioner Lenny Eliason.
“The consensus is that we’ll probably (give Kelly the extra funds), but we just haven’t yet because we’re waiting for the outcome of the Sheridan case,” he said. “We should know the outcome within the next 60 days.”
Kelly has been adamant about adding an extra deputy to the force, and said his current deputies are covering large territories in various villages.
“Now that the county funds are in good shape, I’ve asked (the commissioners) to replace the position from 2011,” Kelly said. “It looks like we’ll have to wait until June or July, but I’m okay with that.”
It costs about $62,000 a year with benefits for a new deputy, Kelly said, so if the position is added in July, it would cost about $34,000 for the remainder of the year.
“Next year in 2014, we’ll just write that position in and they’ll fund that position in full next year,” he said.
Mayor Paul Wiehl has also been vocal about giving Kelly extra funds to hire a new deputy, saying the only problem was the lack of funding.
“Like any head of an organization, Kelly wants more resources so they can do better. That’s how we do things in Athens,” he said. “I don’t fault him for being in support of his office and asking for more.”
Eliason said that the county commissioners are also giving extra funding to the Athens Board of Elections.
“We’re giving (the Board of Elections) about $35,000 for electronic poll books because they requested more money, too,” he said.
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