Safety panel points out priority concerns

County safety committee members told commissioners Monday morning that safety in the courthouse should be a priority.

“We feel the time has come for the county to address the issue,” committee chair Christine Mikalson said.

The committee recommended metal detectors for courthouse entrances.

“As things escalate, we realize how vulnerable we are,” she said. “We have no (law enforcement) presence at the door.”

“We have to have a commitment from the commissioners that the courthouse is vulnerable,” Mikalson said. “You should realize this is a high priority.”

County Auditor Eunice Coker agreed.

“In the auditor’s office, there’s only one way out,” she said.

Commissioners Art Swannack and Dean Kinzer said they would discuss security when the third member of the board, Chairman Michael Largent, returns from vacation.

Mikalson also told commissioners there are not enough disabled parking spots at the courthouse.

She said the committee recommends designating Island Street on the south side of the courthouse and parking in front as visitors only parking. She also said the committee is hoping for three more disabled parking spots and six visitor spots on Island Street.

“We’ll have to ask the city about Island,” Mikalson said. Island Street borders the south side of the courthouse and serves as the direct access to Main Street for Colfax police and fire units from the city station.

The committee also recommended vacating parking spots from the alley to Main Street on Upton to be designated as handicapped.

“That would take care of elections,” she said.

“That might not fly because it would take Farm Credit Service parking spots away,” Swannack said.

“This is an ongoing issue,” Mikalson said.

Two county employees approached the commissioners Monday morning about donating some of their own sick leave to help out another employee.

They would not divulge the name of the employee they wished to assist, but said this man had lost a baby and then his fiancée. The employee used all of his sick leave when his baby was ill. He has no sick leave left and county policy doesn’t provide bereavement leave unless it’s for family members.

Both commissioners agreed the situation had extenuating circumstances.

“I think we should show some compassion,” Swannack said.

The commissioners agreed to allow employees to donate up to 24 hours per person of their own sick leave.