Council authorizes temporary change to sheriff's retirement account administrator

The Henry County Council authorized Council President Chad to sign documents transferring administration of the sheriff's retirement account from Citizens State Bank to Greenfield Bank for the remainder of the year, with council members asking that the contract documents be sent to county staff for review before finalization.

Chief Deputy Josh Smith and Captain Pierce explained that Citizens State Bank previously administered the account; after an employee retirement, that portion of the business was sold to Greenfield Bank, which has begun administering the account but had not filed paperwork to effect an official administrator change. The sheriff's office requested council authorization for the president of the council to sign documents making Greenfield the account administrator through the end of the calendar year. The department said it intends to return at the start of the following year with a proposed contract for a new, long-term administrator that the sheriff's office believes will reduce administrative costs for the fund.

A motion authorizing Chad to sign the administrator-change documents passed by voice vote. Council members also asked that the contracts be sent to Joel for review before execution; the motion was made and carried with that condition.

Why it matters: The administrative change affects who manages account operations for retiree payments and record-keeping for the sheriff's retirement fund. County review of contract documents was requested before the authorization became effective.

What was not decided: The council did not approve a long-term contract for administration beyond the end of this year; the sheriff's office said it will return with a proposed contract at the start of the next year.