A topic of discussion at multiple Calhoun County Commission meetings has been the need for new vehicles for the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Warren Basnett has presented trucks to the Commission for approval, but has been met each time with delays and various reasons as to why the County is not willing to provide funding. The Commissioners have received and set aside money for an SUV but have yet to provide approval. As for the truck, the Commissioners are waiting to see what their budget looks like in the fall, or if perhaps grants can be found to cover the cost. All the while a very large sum of money sits in their general fund, only partially ear marked and funding agencies have been said to question ”Why are you not using the money you currently have rather than coming to us?”
Today was another low point for the Sheriff when his cruiser ”just died,” according to Sheriff Warren Basnett.
Ridgeview News happened to cross paths with the Sheriff in Grantsville, having just returned from a call in a beautiful red Yukon. I asked if he’d finally received approval for his vehicle purchase to which he responded, ”This is my personal vehicle, I have to drive it since my cruiser is down.” And so the saga continues for the Calhoun County Sheriff while the Calhoun Commissioners ”wait to see if they’re fiscally able.” This is a developing story that will be addressed at the Calhoun County Commission meeting in September.
