LaGRANGE – The Troup County Sheriff’s Department’s request to add a deputy to its department went before the Troup County Commission Tuesday, and while the commissioners unanimously agreed that the position should be considered, they did not approve the addition at this time.

Troup County Sheriff James Woodruff asked at the Friday work session for an additional deputy that could assist the department and the Georgia State Patrol in keeping local roads safe, but after some discussion, the commissioners felt that it would be best to gather more information before adding a new position to any department, even one as vital as the sheriff’s department.

“We have the second most interstate miles in the state of Georgia through the county, and (Woodruff) has offered to put an extra deputy on the road if you all (on the commission) so desire,” said County Manager Tod Tentler. “The total cost of the (position) would be $105,614.33.”

The annual salary for the proposed deputy would be approximately $28,246, but with health care, retirement and other benefits the position would cost the county $47,733.35 annually. The county would also need to purchase equipment for the new deputy. The commissioners were hesitant to commit to the new position at this time, due partially to the county budget that is currently in the process of being finalized and the pay study that should offer up its findings in coming weeks. Commissioners did agree that a committee should be formed to carefully review public safety on the roads before the position could be funded.

“I’d like for us to be able to track the number of fatalities, the number of accidents and things of that nature because we’ve got the second largest amount of interstate in the state, and I feel like Troup County needs to look at it in much greater depth then we are looking at it,” said Commissioner Ellis Cadenhead. “I’d like to see a committee be formed to look at it from the standpoint of tracking this thing all the way through and trying to help public safety.”

There was some debate over who should be included on a committee focused on public safety on the roads, and the commissioners agreed to discuss the committee further at their next work session on March 3. Sheriff James Woodruff and Georgia State Patrol Sgt. Maurice Raines were both mentioned as possible members of the proposed committee during the meeting.

“I want to do everything in my power to make sure that this goes (through),” said Commissioner Lewis Davis. “My issue with this as it stands right now is I want to make sure that we do it in the proper order. We have a pay study that we spent a considerable amount of money for… and I have to make sure that not only are the deputies seen after, but the fire department and all the departments in this county are treated fairly, and that is the purpose of our pay study is to (make sure that) our salaries are comparable with surrounding communities. … Everything you are saying needs to be done, but we also need to be sure that we can pay for it.”

The commission approved an amendment to the downtown Tax Allocation District and a request from the parks and recreation department to allow participation in the 2018 Department of Human Resources grant application process at that same meeting.

The Troup County Board of Commissioners plan to meet again on Tuesday, March 7 at 9 a.m. at 100 Ridley Ave.

Reach Alicia B. Hill at alicia.hill@lagrangenews.com or at 706-884-7311, Ext. 2154.