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Anyone who has ever dealt with a leaky roof can relate to what the sheriff’s office is dealing with right now,  only multiple times the magnitude of importance. The evidence storage area in the public safety center has a problem with some kind of condensation seeping in and it has the potential to cause  damage to an area of the evidence storage room where criminal case items are kept.

Sheriff Brandon Thyen got the okay from the commissioners, meeting as a Budget Committee last week, to go outside the adopted budget and make a purchase using the special “public safety aid" the state distributed last year.

He got the okay to order heavy duty secure  units for replacing the shelving now utilized.  The bill can be paid using funds remaining in the public safety aid.

MidAmerica Business Systems in Minneapolis has the state bid for this type of product, which  is installed  on tracks and can be slid open and shut.  The units will increase storage capacity by 50 percent with its unique configuration and use of space.

Thyen said this purchase is estimated about $31,000 and is “rated high priority” in order to protect evidence.  “There is more to come on that, “ he added, promising this issue with mechanicals  causing leaks is far from resolved. 

Thyen also was approved to get 14 sets of special communications gear for the special weapons and tactical unit.  The earpieces and headsets designed to fit inside of SWAT helmets are $1,800 a piece.

The law enforcement officers now have difficulty hearing messages when loud noises are occuring— like a weapon discharge or smoke grenade or alarms, etc.  The devices cancel outside noise.

The county engineer was also asking for non-budgeted items for properties that the county has acquired for the Highway 8 redevelopment project.  As lead agency for this Chisago County got a grant for acquiring right of way but now the five parcels that have been purchased have to be maintained.  (There are three more pending.)

County Engineer Joe Triplett had a quote for a new riding lawnmower and attachment for moving snow for $7,355 and $2,500.  Triplett said the money comes from the surplus equipment auction items that have been sold.

The county will eventually be maintaining county round-abouts that are in the process of construction,  and this mower can be dedicated to that, plus the parks department will use the equipment  as well. 

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