Sheriff getting new deputies

NORWALK — After requesting additional manpower for more than a year, the Huron County commissioners finally granted the county sheriff's request to hire additional deputies. The commissioners approved hiring three new deputies during budget discussion during a meeting Tuesday. The sheriff's office asked for $300,000 to accommodate the new deputies. Sheriff Todd Corbin said he's hoping to hire deputies through a lateral transfer, meaning hiring officers from another police department in Huron County. Corbin said doing so decreases training time if someone has experience at a local police department prior to working at the sheriff's office. "This is a huge relief. Now we can do more work and get the expertise we need and have people out and be able to cut down on service call time," Corbin said. "We can provide better service to the county. I'm excited about this." Corbin has been asking the commissioners for additional deputies because his office can't function with its current staffing levels. He and chief Deputy Dave Ditz had told commissioners that there are times where only two deputies on duty, responsible for policing 500 square miles of the county. "Now we have to find the right people to put out on the road," he said. "It's huge. We can be more proactive in providing better safety for the county. Right now, I'm asking the deputies to do a lot more than they should be." Corbin said he has potential candidates in mind. He said the hiring process would be staggered with one deputy being hired and completing training before the next is hired. He said the process to get all three deputies through training and on the road could be up to six months, depending on their experience. "I refuse to lower my standard to fill (positions)," Corbin said. "We're trying to eliminate some of the overtime with the addition of three more deputies. With three deputies on the road, we want one north, one south and one central who can bounce back and forth." The issue of overtime, however, cannot always be foreseen, Corbin said. Whenever deputies have to testify or present in court cases, it is considered overtime. Corbin said Thursday, Friday and Saturday are usually the days with the most activity for the office. The sheriff's office is also waiting for plans to be approved by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction for wall removal, which is to move the jail's body scanner to a different location inside the facility. Resolutions The Huron County commissioners awarded bids for the New State Road Resurfacing Phase 6 Project for $487,518 and the Chip and Seal Phase 1 Project for $564,103 to Sarver Paving Company from Ashland, Ohio. The Akron Road Resurfacing Project was awarded to Erie Blacktop Inc., in Sandusky for $134,828. Advertising for the Fairfield Angling and Townline 12 Resurfacing Project will also begin and the bid will open on Friday, March 11. Huron County Emergency Management Agency is beginning two air conditioning projects, costing $7,236. One unit is for the Huron County Sheriff's Office and one for Willard Police Department. A mini-split A/C will be installed in both offices for the server rooms. The Department of Job and Family Services was also approved to purchase chairs to replace old ones for $5,758. The commissioners meet again at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1, in the commissioner's chambers.