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COVID-19-associated and other staff shortages in the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office were discussed at the Board of Supervisors’ regular meeting Thursday.

Sheriff Marty Arganbright mentioned that two of his full-time dispatchers are in COVID-19 quarantine, leaving him short staffed. He explained that if the situation becomes dire, the County has developed a partnership with Dallas County over the last four years since the neighboring county installed a 911 tower in Linden. He says Dallas County Dispatch is equipped to handle all 911, fire, and other calls for Guthrie when necessary. Arganbright also mentioned that a deputy tested positive for COVID-19 this week and is in quarantine, and Arganbright also tested for COVID-19 with a negative result.

Arganbright then presented a request to hire Pierre Kellog as a part-time dispatcher, which the Board approved. Arganbright said Kellog worked for Greene County Dispatch for 10 years and now lives in Guthrie Center with a desire to work in dispatch part time. Arganbright also mentioned the recent departure of Jail Administrator Mike Herbert. He said Herbert decided to use the remainder of his vacation and comp-time until January, and Deputy Jesse Swenson has filled his role. That leaves a vacant Deputy position, which Arganbright says he has a good candidate from the last Deputy hiring period.