In a 3-2 vote on party lines earlier this month, the Madison County Public Safety Committee tabled a request by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department to enter into a contract with Decker Analytics to handle various administrative issues following Captain Eric Decker’s retirement.
Committee member Eric Foster (R) made the motion to table the purchasing request until next month’s meeting, which is scheduled for July 6. Ray Wesley (R) seconded the motion. Judy Kuhn (R) also voted to table the request.
Committee chair Gussie Glasper (D) and member Mike Parkinson (D) voted against tabling the request. Glasper said she voted not to table the issue “because I’m ready to proceed.”
Foster asked to table the issue so they had time for discussion. He said he had questions that couldn’t be answered that day.
Wesley agreed, saying he spoke with Major Jeff Connor but still had some unanswered questions.
“Generally speaking, I’m in favor of … an agreement like this,” Wesley said. “I want to make sure we are doing everything we’re supposed to do from the standpoint of our purchasing agreement. I’m confused whether we are or not.”
Connor presented the resolution to purchase professional services with Decker Analytics for $114,000 per year, or $9,500 per month. The meeting’s audio cut out briefly, but Connor explained that Decker Analytics will be Captain Decker’s company upon his retirement. He added that Decker will be a civilian employee and no longer an employee of the county.
Connor said the Sheriff’s Department is still negotiating the contract, but Decker Analytics will be responsible for handling tasks such as grants, budgetary issues, use of technology in the workplace, human resources issues, and litigation issues, among other responsibilities.
After the vote to table the resolution, it was placed on the agenda for the June finance committee meeting. However, it was later removed from the agenda. It was also not included on the agenda for the Madison County Board meeting.