Clinton County Commissioners Approve Security Contract

By Emily Wright

LOCK HAVEN — In a meeting marked by robust discussion and debate, the Clinton County Commissioners approved a security contract with VetForce Inc. on Thursday, February 27, 2025. The two-year agreement, valued at $62,400, will provide security guard services at county buildings from March 10, 2025, to March 9, 2027. Despite the unanimous approval of the contract upon a roll call vote, the move faced calls for more extensive discussion from Clinton County Sheriff Kerry Stover, who advocated for a more measured approach.

Sheriff Stover, addressing the commissioners, emphasized the need to table the contract’s approval to address issues of understaffing and security that the county sheriff’s department is currently facing. “I want everybody to know that we, as commissioners and the sheriff, we work good together. This is nothing against them. I am very good friends with Dave Harger and Lawrence Long from Vet Force, but I ask that this be tabled to slow down a little bit,” he conveyed.

Detailing the County Sheriff’s Department’s staffing challenges, Sheriff Stover highlighted that he is currently short-staffed by six deputies, attributing those vacancies to retirement, deployment, and deputies leaving the department for better-paying positions elsewhere.

Sheriff Stover asserted that the commissioners and all other county buildings deserve to have security staff; however, he expressed disappointment that there wasn’t further discussion about his department’s staffing issues before moving forward with the VetForce Inc. security contract at Thursday’s meeting. “You asked me what my options were, and I had hoped we could sit down and talk about this. This went very fast. I heard that this was on the agenda on Monday, and here we are to the vote,” he said.

The Sheriff suggested two courses of action: either table the approval of the contract to explore alternative options or add two additional deputies to his department. “This will help with staffing these buildings in the future, but we must get through the training portion of it,” he noted, pointing out that the deputy training program, available only three times a year, takes five months and costs the county approximately $16,000. Despite the county’s investment in the required training for newly hired deputies, Stover reports that the department continues to lose trained deputies due to low wages. “Hiring more deputies and paying more money to the current deputies I think would be more beneficial and help maintain or retain deputies, train deputies, and save the county money,” he further explained.

Sheriff Stover stressed the importance of competitive pay and comprehensive training to retain experienced deputies at the county sheriff’s office, noting that new recruits might lack the skills needed to manage more challenging situations. He laid out the cost for two county deputies to provide security at the Piper Building, which is around $15.50 per hour, totaling approximately $73,000 annually, excluding benefits. In comparison, he highlighted that the Vet Force contract would have only one deputy providing security at $32.00 per hour, resulting in a savings of about $11,000 annually, not including benefits.

“Yes, you’re saving $11,000, and you have to add the benefits to that first for a deputy, but you’re having one person downstairs. I ask you to consider tabling this vote until more communication and more research is done [so] that we can talk about the new deputy positions,” Sheriff Stover requested.

Sheriff Stover further emphasized that his department is unable to deploy security personnel to the Piper Building due to the loss of deputies seeking higher-paying positions. He illustrated the strain on his department by mentioning that two deputies were occupied with a case at the courthouse while he attended the commissioners’ meeting Thursday morning.

Sheriff Stover reiterated his intentions, emphasizing, “I want everybody to know we get along, we do a good job together. I don’t want this to come across as an attack on you or [that] I don’t want Mr. Harger’s VetForce in here; they’re good people too. I just ask that we slow down and look at some options.”

Commissioner Harding, while acknowledging the Sheriff’s concerns, stressed the urgent need for immediate security measures. She further added that the contract is not intended to undermine the Sheriff’s Department in any way. “No jobs are being eliminated. We can continue to have discussions. The contract is a fix to an issue that’s going on right now, presently, and until you get your deputies certified and they have the ability to have the firearms and do all those things, this contract is a way to sort of fill that void,” she explained.

Harding reassured the Sheriff that the agreement is temporary and flexible, noting that it can be canceled with a 30-day notice by either party. “It’s not in any way trying to take away from the recruitment and retention of deputies, but at the same time, we’ve got to find a way to make sure that we’re providing security in the buildings and across the county for county government,” she added.

Stover voiced his concern about the timing of the Vet Force contract, pointing out that his department is close to fulfilling security needs at the Piper Building with his own deputies, even if they are not fully state-certified yet. He mentioned that two deputies had recently joined the department and, during their first week, received required training and are able to carry firearms. However, he noted that additional deputies would be necessary when those two leave for further training. Stover also expressed concern that if the Vet Force contract is implemented and his deputies are temporarily absent due to training, the board might need to rely on Vet Force again in the future.

Commissioner Jim Russo explained that Vet Force Inc. became involved after the county issued a public Request for Proposal (RFP) for security services, resulting in a single bid from Vet Force Inc. He emphasized that the contract with VetForce is an attempt to support the sheriff’s department since they are subcontractors, with the flexibility to terminate the contract if the sheriff’s department can meet security staffing needs.

Commissioner Jeff Snyder recognized the Sheriff’s proposal to hire more deputies as a potential solution but pointed out ongoing challenges in recruitment and retention, which are largely out of their control. “That’s another reason we’re looking to move in this direction until we can get you with a full complement,” Snyder stated. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me anyhow to hire more deputies when we’re struggling to even get to the full complement that you have now, so this is an option until we continue to work with you,” he added.

Sheriff Stover once again underscored that the challenges in deputy staffing are due to low wages, the demanding nature of the job, and the experience required for deputies to perform their jobs effectively. He referred to a recent incident where an experienced deputy and a newer deputy had to forcefully remove an irate inmate from a courtroom. He also reported that about a month ago, a young deputy and an experienced deputy found themselves in a situation where they had to hold a person at gunpoint when they attempted to serve a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order. “I have young deputies that have to make a decision at a split second’s choice that affect me and you, and I’m asking you for the pay and the training and the things that go along to maintain so we have a higher level of experience,” Stover emphasized. For now, he hopes that the newer deputies will stay with the department and build on their experiences.

Despite differing viewpoints, the commissioners emphasized their support for the County Sheriff’s Department and the mutual goal of ensuring safety. They agreed that they are open to continuing conversations about solutions to filling vacancies at the sheriff’s office, but expressed an urgent need to have security positions filled presently.

The discussion concluded with the commissioners maintaining their vote to approve the contract with VetForce Inc., amidst commitments to ongoing collaboration and solutions to address deputy staffing shortages.