Cathy May, Contributing Writer

Ripley County Sheriff Tom Grills gave a report on the jail at the Ripley County Council meeting on January 22. He talked about some of the changes in the jail in the last few years. Grills said that in 2003 Ripley County had a jail that held 15 prisoners and today there are 100 or more.

Grills had two issues to discuss. One was the nurse’s salary. The Department of Corrections inspector said a nurse needed to be on site 30 hours a week. Now the nurse is paid for 20 hours a week. Secondly, Grills asked for a part time clerical worker who could answer the phones and file to relieve the others in the office to work on tax warrants. In 2002 there were 300 tax warrants, now there are 1,500 a year. Since neither of the items had been advertised, they couldn’t be addressed and would have to wait until the next meeting. Attorney Neil Comer said they would have to be brought up to the Ripley County Commissioners first, before being brought back before council. Grills said he would get that accomplished.

Grills also gave these statistics for the jail for 2007. The total number of inmate beds is 102 - 86 male, 16 female. That does not include work release. There were 1,080 booked into the jail. The average daily population is 89. Average inmates from the Department of Correction are 23, and from other counties, six. Grills stated the jail staff is adequate at 14 officers including the jail commander.
He also reported programs and services offered at the Ripley County Jail are GED classes, Alcoholics Anonymous, Substance Abuse Counseling and various religious programs.

Alcohol seemed to be the greatest factor for charges with 182 charged with Operating While Intoxicated, 138 for Public Intoxication, and 45 for Illegal Consumption or Possession of Alcohol. Many other charges dealt with various narcotics offenses.

Grills was again asked about the purchase of vehicles. He received four new vehicles in 2007. He explained two new vehicles are ordered each year. Two of the vehicles that came in last year were ordered by Bill Davison, former sheriff. He also explained he had met with the county’s insurance agent and he explained the county has a blanket policy of vehicles. “Whether we have one vehicle or 90 vehicles, the cost is the same,” explained Grills.

In other business, Dephane Smith, who has been on the council for nine years, was elected president of the council for 2008. Donald Dunbar was elected vice president. The next meeting will be on the third Tuesday, February 19. At that meeting a more permanent night will be selected.

Katherine Taul, Ripley County Tourism Director, gave a report to the council on tourism’s activities in 2007. She said 2008 will be the 20th anniversary of the Bluegrass Festival at the Versailles State Park.
The following additional appropriations were approved: $1,965.23 for Tarter Grant park benches for items requested in the grant application for the Ripley County Department of Parks and Recreation; $10,506.68 for SISWD dumpsters for remaining grant funds used for dumpster expenses for the Ripley County Highway Department; $8,000 for perpetuation for the Ripley County Clerk.

The following transfers were approved: $12,252 to contractural services for Ripley County Circuit Court and $900,000 from Family and Children to County General for the Ripley County Department of Child Services for repayment of loans in 2007.

All committee representatives will remain the same except that David Simon will be on the EMS Advisory Committee. Donald Dunbar reported that the reuse and recycling center at the highway garage has been very successful. Dunbar also suggested the money is available to pay off the jail and that should be considered.

Bob Gindling was appointed to the Alcoholic Beverage Board.

Six of seven council members were present: Dephane Smith, Donald Dunbar, Dave Simon, Ben Peetz, Juanita Kaiser and Mark Busching. Attorney Neil Comer and Auditor Mary Ann McCoy were present to advise the board.