Jasper County Commissioners and Sheriff Archie Dunn Henry County Lawsuit
By: Melanie Huonker
Updated: November 13, 2012
CARTHAGE, MO.--- Ongoing disputes between Jasper County commissioners and Sheriff Archie Dunn continued at Tuesday's commission meeting.
"Henry County is looking for payment of the bill for 139,000 for prisoners that were shipped last year to Henry County," states Norman Rouse, Jasper County Attorney.
County Attorney, Norman Rouse says there was never official approval from the commissioners for the sheriff to send the inmates to Henry County, and the county shouldn't be responsible for paying a bill based on the sheriff's decision. Just minutes into Tuesday's meeting, commissioners called for a closed session to discuss legal matters. Sheriff elect, Randee Kaiser was also called in. After the closed session, Sheriff Archie Dunn's attorney, Bill Fleishaker addressed the Henry County lawsuit, saying the county has money on hand to pay the bill.
"I suggested to the Sheriff there's $300,000 there, let's pay the bill. He requested those funds be paid out of those funds that are available," states Bill Fleishaker, Sheriff Dunn's Attorney.
Rouse says that money is for this year's budget and does not cover the costs of boarding prisoners for 2011.
"We dispute the bill because it wasn't in the budget and there wasn't a contract," states Rouse.
Rouse is now asking Sheriff Dunn to release emails between himself and Henry County officials, saying the emails are public record. For his part, Fleishaker says he wants to see all 3 sides tackle the problem soon.
"I would like to see this matter settled before Mr. Kaiser takes office. It's not his problem, he shouldn't have to worry about it," states Rouse.
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