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The Huron County Board of Commissioners discussed the issue regarding the Sheriff during their recent Committee of the Whole meeting. These meetings are for discussion only and no decisions can be made.

"I would like to address our Sheriff; we will have limited discussion on this today," said Huron County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Robert Haldane. He met last week with Gaertner and Allen to "come up with some procedures of how we would follow up with these actions."

Huron County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Gaertner is investigating if there are any possible criminal charges involved, while Huron County Corporate Counsel Steve Allen is investigating the civil side of the case. "Just because the prosecutor is looking at it doesn't mean there are any charges," said Gaertner. "(As public officials,) we have to have our lives transparent; we'll have to wait until we get the facts before anything can be done."

According to Gaertner, Tibbits used his County vehicle for a family vacation to Florida recently.

"I first learned of this through our Prosecutor," explained Haldane. He added, "I am not sure, due to the timing, if I overstepped by bounds with communications to the Board."

He felt, as Chairperson, he needed to act quickly to get a handle on the situation after he became aware of the issue. With that knowledge, he met with Gaertner and Allen.

He did want to clarify to fellow Board members that no action has been taken against Tibbits and no action would be taken against Tibbits until a complete investigation warrants so doing.

"I think Kent has been a good sheriff for our County; been protective and has basically done a good job," said Commissioner Don Pascarella. He added, "We need to basically look at the (matter)."

In an attempt to make sure everyone is informed of the policy, Haldane said, "To make sure everyone is perfectly clear, everyone has a copy of the policy manual and employee handbook." The copies include portions of the motor pool vehicle policy which contains the usage of such vehicles.

"The miles have no ramification to the vehicle, it is a three-year lease with a $1 purchase," said Commissioner Ron Wruble.

The actual lease, from Al Hanson Motors, apparently does contain language of a penalty if there is more than 70,000 miles on the vehicle when returned. However, commissioners were not concerned because they had already planned to purchase the vehicle at the end of the lease.

"What I would like everyone to think about is control," said Haldane. He added, "This is an assigned vehicle; he (Tibbits) does not have to sign the vehicle out."

Commissioner Clark Elftman commented that he did not realize the vehicle is assigned to the Sheriff.

At which time Commissioner Peruski stated, "Even if it is assigned, we should have a log."

Haldane explained some options to maintain control of the county owned vehicles; such as, maintaining a log, signing in and signing out of the vehicles.

"Let's let the Properties Committee meet with Ivan (Burkhard) and work something out," said Commissioner Jim Leonard.

Wruble feels if the Commissioners do changes, the changes should be in conjunction with the Sheriff's Department.

Regarding the assigned vehicles, Haldane explained that the Sheriff and Undersheriff both have assigned vehicles within the department.

"Sometimes every hand is needed if a crime is committed; We consider our sheriff and undersheriff working police, on call, all the time," said Haldane.

He added, "Maybe we need to review that policy, however there is nothing set in stone."

"It (assigned vehicles) still makes sense. If they have to come in (and) get a County vehicle, how much time is lost, how many people could be seriously injured," expressed Pascarella.

Haldane feels the policy has some good points, as long as the policy is followed.

"We are burning up mileage on a County vehicle or we are reimbursing him for his own," said Leonard, looking at the financial aspects of assigned vehicles.