Commission Makes Changes To Sheriff, Coroner Budgets

Crawford County Sheriff Darin Layman has reported losing 43 deputies since he took over in January 2017 and his job was made even more difficult in 2018 when his department was forced to sacrifice a road position.

Layman, who is helping to spearhead an effort to pass Proposition P in Crawford County, did some get relief in the county’s 2019 budget.

County Clerk John Martin said officials were able to free up money in the sheriff’s general revenue portion to raise some salaries.

“We are hoping it will help him retain good people,” said Presiding Commissioner Leo Sanders.

Layman also got the road position the county was forced to cut a year ago.

The commission also reversed a decision it made a week earlier concerning Assistant Coroner Darren Dake.

Coroner Paul Hutson requested that Dake receive a small salary increase, along with establishing a salary for an intern.

Commissioners initially rejected that request, but Wednesday, announced they had approved Dake’s increase. 

By making these changes, Sanders said the county has taken steps toward achieving some of their goals for 2020-2021 — establishing a salary ladder.

The county has no established pay levels for its general revenue employees. Martin said it is common for those employees to transition between different offices at the courthouse and their salaries fluctuate.

Coroner Facilities

Another step for the future is having a facility for the county’s next coroner.

“Acting upon his guidance” as Martin put it, the county is looking ahead to having a place for coroner operations in the event Hutson declines to run in 2020.

Hutson has saved the county money during his tenure by using his funeral home instead of forcing a standalone facility.

The commission recently approved the purchase of the Freeman building on Highway 19 next to the assessor and collector’s office. It cost the county $38,000 and could potentially be used for the next coroner.