Security at the Bartholomew County Courthouse in Columbus could be upgraded under a plan the Bartholomew County Council will consider next month.
The Republic file photo
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Bartholomew County officials will pay for each county courthouse courtroom to have an armed security guard present during hearings or during open court sessions.
The Bartholomew County Council approved a base salary of $50,000 for each member of courthouse security, as well as for staff at the county jail, on Monday.
The council has approved $184,627 from its general fund to add two additional security personnel at the courthouse, as well as a supervising lieutenant. They will be in addition to three existing security officers.
One guard would be assigned in each of the three major courtrooms, while two will remain at the entrance to the building. The sixth person would be a supervising lieutenant who makes out schedules, checks in daily with the courts to coordinate schedules, patrols the courthouse halls when time allows, and fills in vacancies when necessary, Sheriff Chris Lane said.
Although the sheriff will be responsible for both hiring and supervision of courthouse security personnel, the judges will have oversight over the security force, the sheriff said.
While Monday’s decision is retroactive to July 1, the funds approved will pay for additional security personnel only through the end of the year. The council will have to revisit the matter when they begin 2024 budget talks on Aug. 21.
