LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. — Liberty County commissioners approved a plan Oct. 15 to assign three Sheriff’s Office deputies to security at county annex buildings. The vote followed an earlier agenda preview of the proposal.
County Administrator Joseph Mosley said the Sheriff’s Office proposed providing three officers for an annual cost of $226,159. He estimated the cost from Jan. 1 through the end of the fiscal year at about $110,000. The county also considered outside security proposals, including one priced at $276,848 and another at $494,184 annually, according to Mosley’s presentation.
The deputies would be employed by the Sheriff’s Office but dedicated to county annex security. Mosley said the money would be placed in the administration budget. Commissioners asked for a written agreement spelling out duties and expectations, and staff said it would bring the agreement back to the board.
Commissioners discussed coverage of the current annex and historic courthouse, including a roving officer. One commissioner questioned why the county would incur a new cost when Sheriff’s Office personnel had previously provided some security under the sheriff’s existing budget. Staff said a formal agreement would clarify the service the county expects.
The motion passed by a show of hands. The chairman noted two commissioners opposed. The recording does not clearly identify both dissenters by name.
The vote advanced the security plan; the written agreement and exact assignment details remained to be finalized.
