At a recent Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting, discussion continued on a proposal to add a part-time courthouse security deputy — a position that officials say would improve safety during court sessions while remaining cost-effective.
The conversation stemmed from earlier discussions several weeks ago, with the Sheriff returning to the board to present data and recommendations. After consulting with the Clerk of Court and the Treasurer’s Office, he confirmed that courthouse surcharge revenues have averaged between $40,000 and $45,000 annually since 2021. Those funds could be used to cover the salary of a part-time deputy, which is estimated at $27,000 to $35,000 per year depending on pay scale and hours worked.
The position would be strictly part-time, averaging around 20 hours a week, and would not include benefits. The deputy would primarily work during court sessions — Mondays for district court, Fridays for magistrate court, and every other Wednesday when an associate district court judge is present.
Board members also suggested reviewing how courthouse surcharge funds are tracked and used. Supervisor discussions emphasized the importance of earmarking these dollars specifically for courthouse security needs — including personnel, equipment, or future safety upgrades — rather than letting them blend into the general fund.
Once final procedural checks are complete, the proposal to hire a part-time courthouse security deputy will return to the board’s agenda for approval.