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Webster Co. supervisors OK law enforcement changes

Group hired to do jail study

Several changes and upcoming projects involving Fort Dodge law enforcement were approved at the Webster County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday morning.

The board approved a contract with The Samuels Group from West Des Moines. The Samuels Group will complete a two-part phase study in regard to needs for a new jail or law center in Fort Dodge. On Aug. 3, representatives from The Samuels Group presented to the board the services they offer and ideas on how they can help Fort Dodge.

Sheriff Luke Fleener spoke to the board about why he recommended they approve the contract.

“This phase study is them coming to our community, studying the past five years of our criminal rate, incarceration rate, population. They’ll take all those things into consideration and come up with some sort of sketch of what the new building would look like,” said Fleener. “When that is completed in roughly nine to 12 weeks, they will come back and present their findings to the board.”

The study will cost $50,000, which will be funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds. The board approved the contract unanimously.

The board also approved an agreement with the City of Gowrie. The agreement states that the Webster County Sheriff’s office will provide law enforcement coverage for Gowrie when their chief of police is off duty.

“After consulting with the chief of police and their city council, because of the lack of ability to find reserve officers to work when their chief is off, they inquired about us taking calls when the chief isn’t working,” Fleener said.

The City of Gowrie will pay an annual fee of $10,000 for this service, but Fleener said, depending on the amount of service they supply, that cost could change in the future.

The last item on the agenda was to approve the promotion of Kamden Kramer from correction officer to sergeant corrections officer per the recommendation of Shawna Dencklau, jail administrator.

“I want to recognize Mr. Kramer. He’s been with our department just over two years. He participated in the sergeant promotion procedures. He has great leadership skills I think will be beneficial to our team,” said Fleener.

Shawna Dencklau also spoke in support of Kramer’s promotion.

“In his past two years, Kramer has understood and helped out with the workings of the jail. He has the respect of the staff and also the inmates and with this promotion I believe he will want to do more and be a great asset to the jail,” said Dencklau.

Kramer thanked the board and his colleagues and said he looks forward to serving the jail in his new position.

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