Schieber chairs last meeting; Sheriff seeks funding for video courtrooms

The Platte County Sheriff’s Office is seeking grant funding to expand its video courtroom options.

A nearly $234,000 grant application was approved at the Monday, Dec. 19 administrative session, seeking state ARPA (American Recovery Plan Act) funds for construction of facilities. The remainder of funds for the 50-50 matching grant would come from either the sheriff’s budget or county ARPA funds.

Major Erik Holland said the sheriff’s office has been looking into options to utilize more video courtrooms, which cuts down on the need to transport prisoners to court appearances and decreases the costs and dangers involved in moving prisoners between facilities.

A handgun purchasing agreement was also approved, at nearly $100,000, with the sheriff’s office seeking to change from .40 caliber to 9 mm handguns. Holland said 9 mm ammunition is more readily available and cheaper and most area law enforcement is making the switch.

In ARPA news, the commission approved two $50,000 distributions to the local assistance and tribal consistency funds and appointed county attorney Bob Shaw as legal counsel to interpretation and implementation of ARPA funds.

The Dec. 19 meeting was the last for presiding commissioner Ron Schieber and county clerk Nancy Armstrong, whose terms expire at the end of the year.

The county officeholders and staff presented Schieber - who served as presiding commissioner for eight years, and before that as a state representative and member of the Park Hill Board of Education - with a plaque recognizing his service. Commissioners Dagmar Wood and Joe Vanover expressed their appreciation of the years working together on the commission. With much of his family present in the room, Schieber gaveled out of his last meeting with his young grandchild on his lap.