Local Law Enforcement Propose Funding Aid

Dubois Co.- Local and County Law Enforcement have come up with an idea to help them with funding.

A Public Safety Tax is not a new concept in the state of Indiana. 72 of the 92 counties in the state have it. The tax is an income based one that maxes out at .25%. The tax would help fund the county and local law enforcement officers, prosecutors office, EMS, and fire departments.

On Monday night, Dubois County Sheriff Tom Kleinhelter, Jasper Police Chief Nathan Schmitt, and Huntingburg Police Chief Kerri Blessinger joined together to inform the public of their needs and their desire to have this tax in the county. The top local law enforcement officials also fielded questions from the attendees about the tax and the needs in their departments.

“I’m not an advocate for taxing,” said Sheriff Kleinhelter, “But I am an advocate for public safety.”

The Sheriff’s office says they would like to add nine more deputies to their force to increase the safety of the public and their officers. Sheriff Kleinhelter said this will make his department more proactive, instead of reactive. Kleinhelter also said Dubois County’s population is continuing to grow, so public safety needs to grow with it.

Chief Kerri Blessinger also spoke on this. Blessinger came to Ferdinand Police following her time with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. 

“I was at the community that just exploded in population,” shared Blessinger, “We just couldn’t keep up.”

In order for the tax to go into effect, the Dubois County Council must approve it at a public hearing.