New sheriff reviews, reacts

New Union County Sheriff Brian Bolton is not new to law enforcement.

After his first month on the job Bolton is learning what the department has, needs and what could, or should happen in the future. Bolton was elected to the job in November after sheriff Mark Shepherd decided not to run for another term.

A former Union County sheriff deputy, Bolton was in the department from 2002 to 2012. Before his sheriff term he was part of the First Responder Taskforce where he helps find life insurance for all first responders. He is also a volunteer for Iowa Concern of Police Survivors to assist with funerals for police officers.

Bolton is grateful for what he got out of his past work.

“My previous work I had relationships with sheriff offices, the state and police departments. I had resources and contacts and they have all been tremendous with advice,” he said. Those relationships continue as he has met, for example, with Adams County officials about finding and applying for grants for sheriff department needs.

Not only does being sheriff mean to continue to protect and respond to the safety of Union County residents, the timing to start the job is critical. All Union County departments begin research in January on the upcoming fiscal year budget, which starts July 1.

“There are things that are overwhelming,” Bolton said, knowing what his department is already working with. “The budget, for starters. You don’t know what to expect with expenses and this is guess work.”

Bolton said he has met with retired Union County Sheriff Rick Piel about those nuances in the budget. He has asked for advice from other county sheriffs, too. “They have all had great assistance. I expect this will be a little easier next year,” he said about budget preparation. The sheriff’s department has the second biggest budget among county departments, only following secondary roads.

The department is looking for a new deputy to fill a vacancy and Bolton has begun that process.

Bolton is budgeting for new uniforms including boots.

“The stuff in the patrol cars are electronic. Those need attention too,” he said.

Bolton said he is not critical of Shepherd. Bolton said he knows as things get constantly used, they will eventually need replaced.

“I’m not a hands-off person. I want to understand what the staff is going through. The deputies have been supportive and helpful. They all have made impact,” he said.

An issue Bolton is researching is a new place for him and his staff to work - a new jail.

“A jail will eventually have to happen,” he said. “It’s old. It’s outdated. Our jail staff does as much as they can, but it is like an outdated house from the 1800s with plaster you are trying to paint over.”

Union County jail is one of the few left that still has the traditional “bars” for cells. He said modern jails are using security-strength glass material which limits physical contact with inmates.

“This is not what I wanted to do my first term, but it is something that going to need to be done,” he said about planning a new jail.

Bolton said he has publicly spoke about the need and support for building a new jail. Union County is probably all by itself in southwest Iowa as having the oldest jail among the counties.

Page County voters approved $16.7 million in November 2023 for a new jail. Cost estimates since have increased the amount to $17.5 million.

Page County Sheriff Charles McCalla, who also started the position this year, said the additional costs are being negotiated to about $500,000 more than budget. The jail is planned to hold 42 inmates plus sheriff department offices and dispatch. The entire building is about 19,000 square feet. The jail discussion increased at least over the previous five years before the election.

“Every year that went by, the estimate costs went up maybe $800,000,” McCalla said.

Although a smaller size and in a different economy, Fremont County opened its new jail in 2015 for $5.5 million. McCalla said Page uses Fremont’s resources of mental and medical health for inmates within its jail.

“Fremont, Mills and Montgomery seemed like they all opened their new jails in consecutive years and all under $8 million,” McCalla said.

Bolton is also researching the county’s status with using bonds as one is being used to fund communication towers. That is scheduled to be paid off in 2029.

How the Union County jail works because of its size and limitations, Bolton already sees tax dollars but in a different way.

“It’s costs us so much for the other counties to house our inmates,” he said. For example, women inmates are held in Adams County. Ringgold and Clarke counties have also been used. Women inmates cannot be in view of male inmates within respective jail cells. Union County’s jail floorplan doesn’t allow that.

“It stinks to see those tax dollars go to other counties,” he said. “Jails are complicated. So much goes into them. We have a good jail administrator and does an outstanding job. We are all constantly working on making it as good as we can. But we also have to pass jail inspections by the state.”

Bolton said the state’s graces for the jail’s condition will end. He just wants to be prepared when that day comes.

It’s possible a new jail could create revenue. Bolton said the federal government is always looking for places to hold federal suspects and typically pays more than one county holding a suspect for another. Holding juvenile suspects is another category as some law enforcement agencies are being paid $250 a day to house juveniles.

“There are very certain things we need to look at,” he said.

Location of a new jail is one topic. Bolton said it’s easy to think the vacant lot that doubles as a parking lot north of the courthouse and law enforcement center is a good fit.

“I’d like to keep it to the courthouse as close as possible,” Bolton said to transfer inmates to court hearings. Page County will relocate its jail to another part of Clarinda. The jail has been a couple blocks away from the courthouse. The new site is on the south side of the town along U.S. Highway 71, a few minutes drive to the courthouse.

Bolton wonders if the future will bring more of a regional jail and court system strategy for the state. If so, he wants Union County to be considered.

“I don’t want to be left behind,” he said, regardless of what happens.