July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Fees may be imposed on sex offenders (07/09/07)
Jay County Commissioners
By By TRAVIS MINNEAR-
Sheriff Ray Newton asked Jay County Commissioners on Monday to seek the maximum registration fees possible for convicted sex offenders who live in the county.
Newton asked for an ordinance that calls for $50 annual fees to be imposed for registration.
That is the maximum that can be charged, he said, adding the funds generated would go to help provide additional monitoring services.
A state law enacted July 1 allows sex offenders to be charged when they registered their home address with law enforcement authorities in Indiana counties.
"We're trying to make it safe; we're trying to check on them more," Newton said.
"They are moving and sometimes they don't inform us."
Rob Bicknell, who is in charge of the sex offenders list for Jay County, which currently includes 60 names, said the sheriff's department is meeting state standards, but wants to take enforcement a step further.
"I'd like to reiterate that we are meeting state requirements. We just want to go above and beyond."
Commissioners' attorney Brad Burkett said that an ordinance would be drafted and ready for commissioners to vote on next week.
But, he added, it could be difficult to enforce and authorities may have to seek alternative methods to acquire money if offenders are unable to pay fees.
"You can't refuse someone because they can't pay. You may have to sue these guys," he said.
If sex offenders fail to register with the correct jurisdictions, they face the penalty of a class-D felony, Burkett said.
Separately, the commissioners agreed to investigate cleaning a ditch in Noble Township between county roads 600 and 700 East and county roads 100 and 200 South.
After a resident mentioned the problem, Commissioner Gary Theurer said the issue would be checked into as long as the appropriate funds are available to do the job. "We'll see what we can work out money-wise," he said.
In other business, commissioners agreed to loan $14,900 to Matthew Weaver, 11141 West 600 South, Dunkirk, for a septic system.
It will be a 10-year loan with 10-percent interest, Jay County Auditor Freda Corwin said. The first payment will be due on May 10, 2008. Burkett said the amount would be "added to his real estate taxes."
Several years ago the commissioners agreed to create a loan fund. The fund may be used for septic system replacement or upgrade by those who have been rejected for conventional funding.[[In-content Ad]]
Newton asked for an ordinance that calls for $50 annual fees to be imposed for registration.
That is the maximum that can be charged, he said, adding the funds generated would go to help provide additional monitoring services.
A state law enacted July 1 allows sex offenders to be charged when they registered their home address with law enforcement authorities in Indiana counties.
"We're trying to make it safe; we're trying to check on them more," Newton said.
"They are moving and sometimes they don't inform us."
Rob Bicknell, who is in charge of the sex offenders list for Jay County, which currently includes 60 names, said the sheriff's department is meeting state standards, but wants to take enforcement a step further.
"I'd like to reiterate that we are meeting state requirements. We just want to go above and beyond."
Commissioners' attorney Brad Burkett said that an ordinance would be drafted and ready for commissioners to vote on next week.
But, he added, it could be difficult to enforce and authorities may have to seek alternative methods to acquire money if offenders are unable to pay fees.
"You can't refuse someone because they can't pay. You may have to sue these guys," he said.
If sex offenders fail to register with the correct jurisdictions, they face the penalty of a class-D felony, Burkett said.
Separately, the commissioners agreed to investigate cleaning a ditch in Noble Township between county roads 600 and 700 East and county roads 100 and 200 South.
After a resident mentioned the problem, Commissioner Gary Theurer said the issue would be checked into as long as the appropriate funds are available to do the job. "We'll see what we can work out money-wise," he said.
In other business, commissioners agreed to loan $14,900 to Matthew Weaver, 11141 West 600 South, Dunkirk, for a septic system.
It will be a 10-year loan with 10-percent interest, Jay County Auditor Freda Corwin said. The first payment will be due on May 10, 2008. Burkett said the amount would be "added to his real estate taxes."
Several years ago the commissioners agreed to create a loan fund. The fund may be used for septic system replacement or upgrade by those who have been rejected for conventional funding.[[In-content Ad]]
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