Supervisors could consider changes to county patrolmen
By By William F. West / community editor
Jan. 21, 2003
The president of the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors said today he expects fellow Supervisor Ray Boswell will try to place county patrolmen under the sheriff's supervision.
Craig Hitt, who represents District 3, said he met with Boswell on Thursday "and his intentions at that point were to make a proposal that we make some changes with the county patrolmen."
Supervisors meet at 5 p.m. today. Boswell said he expects a move will be made to transfer funds for the patrol to the sheriff's department but he wasn't sure if he would make the motion.
However, Boswell said, he cannot speak for any other board members. "There's no telling what might take place today," he said.
Sollie's opposition
Sheriff Billy Sollie and supervisors have clashed over the county patrolmen positions at meetings and hearings.
Sollie's objection has been that county patrolmen do not meet the definition of law enforcement officers but out-earn his deputies who have more demanding jobs.
The five county patrolmen, one for every supervisor district, earn $24,200 a year each.
Supervisors have maintained that county patrolmen fall under the supervision of County Administrator Rex Hiatt and have a wide range of responsibilities.
They include inspecting roads, enforcing county ordinances, regulating dump sites, directing traffic at schools, escorting funeral processions, helping emergency personnel during heavy weather and working with logging companies to minimize damage to county roads from heavy trucks.
District 2 Supervisor Jimmie Smith said he doesn't intend to bring the matter up for discussion today but he made clear he favors having county patrolmen.
Hitt's stand
Hitt said his district's patrolman, Harold Null, currently works with Dewayne Sosebee, the county's animal control officer.
Hitt said he doesn't have a problem with putting county patrolmen under the sheriff's department but he said he would like to know if the patrolmen will be deputized and have law enforcement power.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA
The Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors will meet at 5 p.m. today in the first-floor boardroom of the courthouse annex. Craig Hitt, board president and District 3 supervisor, said the board also will consider bids for expansion of Lauderdale County Animal Control and for improving a railroad crossing at an industrial park.
