Whitley Sheriff’s deputies to receive new body armor

Whitley County’s 16 sheriff’s deputies will soon be receiving new body armor.

At Tuesday night’s fiscal court meeting, the magistrates unanimously approved a motion to apply for a grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to cover up to $10,800 toward the vest.

Chief Deputy KY Fuson told the magistrates that the grant will cover up to $675 per vest. Under the terms of the grant, the county will pay the bill and receive reimbursement through the grant.

“The most expensive vests we have seen are about $625,” Fuson said when asked whether the county would be required to put out any money towards the purchase.

Fuson said the new vests are needed as the current vests have reached the expiration date.

“Moisture gets into the vests and compromises their integrity,” Fuson explained, noting the vests typically have a five-year life span.

The vests are fitted to the individual deputy, based on height, weight and body type. Even though the vests are property of the sheriff’s department, it makes it difficult for a new deputy to use an existing vest.

“We will have to buy a new one,” Fuson said when asked what happens if a deputy leaves the department and/or a new deputy is hired.

Fuson said he expects to learn whether the sheriff’s department has been approved for the grant by July.

In other business the fiscal court:

• Approved a motion to reschedule the May meeting from May 19 to May 21. Judge-executive Pat White, Jr. said the move is necessary because the courthouse and County Clerk Kay Schwartz are tied up by the primary election. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m.

• Approved a memorandum of agreement between the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Whitley County Detention Center for the use of inmates on road projects. White said the work will involve maintenance on rural secondary roads

• Approved a resolution honoring former Third District Magistrate Joe Moses.

•  Approved the reappointment of Alice Fay Weiland to the Whitley County Library Board

• Awarded a bid for coal mix patching material to Unique Paving Material at a cost of $115 per ton. It was the only bid received. White said the county doesn’t typically use more than 100 tons of the material, but because of the bad winter weather and the damage done to the county roads, that number is expected to increase to the 175-ton range. The cost may reach the threshold of $20,000 above which the county is required to request bids for the material.