Commissioners hear from citizens regarding potential ICE contract

A group of Big Horn County citizens came before the commission on Feb. 17 to discuss their concerns about the possibility of the county entering into an agreement with ICE. Those citizens were Charlotte Hinkley, Dan Close, Ted Menke, Mart and Cindy Hinkley. 

Commissioner Deb Craft explained to them that ICE had contacted the county to be on the agenda. This has been happening with other counties throughout the state. The proposed agreement was given to the county attorney’s office to review. 

“No future meeting has been set up,” Craft said. “We’ve had calls pro and con regarding the situation. What I’ve been pretty much telling people is that we’ve worked with ICE for as long as they have probably been in existence. Not actually going out. If they pick up somebody on a criminal charge. In the process if they find out they’re not a legal citizen, then I think they are bound by statute to notify ICE to let them know we have somebody. But that is after they have committed a criminal offense in Big Horn County.” 

She continued that nothing would be done behind anyone’s back. The public will be notified if further discussion is to be had. 

Commissioner Bruce Jolley told the group that the reason the county entertained the possibility was that it gives them an opportunity to maintain local control. 

“Then it is worth listening to,” Jolley said. “We would never do anything to throw the Sheriff under the bus but at same time…I haven’t seen the agreement yet, but we want to maintain local control.” Jolley continued that ICE is going to come here whether they are wanted or not. Having local control written in an agreement will make a difference, he said. 

Close was the first to speak in public comment with three concerns:. “One is about the contradiction. We, on this hand, are only going to apprehend criminals, but on this hand, maybe we will assist with immigration.” He added that is a slippery slope and the consequences of that sliding off the slope have been seen nationally. 

His second concern was about the county receiving money, that when money is given, there is an expectation. 

“So, we’re talking a patrol car, about paying the county money for putting somebody in the pen...,” he said.  

The third concern voiced by Close was that local law enforcement has a good relationship with the county and the county citizens. He pointed out that there are lot of residents in our county are legal and maybe some that may not be, “But for the most part they are productive. Keeping our farms and ranches, contributing to the school system. Suddenly if we start to draw that wedge between local law enforcement and the public, it could get ugly. It could rip apart this community. I implore the county to reject that relationship. If ICE wants to come in and deal with something, let it be on their shoulders.” 

Mart Hinkley addressed the commissioners next. He said that he reiterates what Close said. “One thing we might want to look at is ICE is getting a reputation for not paying its bill. They also have 100’s of millions of dollars in lawsuits in the works,” Hinkley said. 

Menke reminded the commissioners about a letter he had written to them on the subject. Charlotte Hinkley asked the commissioners if what she read in the Greybull Standard was accurate. Craft asked her to be more specific. Charlotte explained that one thing that stood out to her was how badly the county needs the vehicle. 

Craft responded by stating that the potential agreement is a reimbursement one. “It’s not that they give us money to do anything with. Big Horn County would have to expend the money is my understanding. I know that was brought up. That they would do a police car and pay so much of the salary, I think, of the deputy. Those are things that were told to us by ICE. I read the story and what was in there is what Sheriff Blackburn basically had said.” 

Commissioner Dave Neves stated, “Big Horn County does need money. Not necessarily saying we want to get it from ICE, but we do need money. The jail houses a lot of people that are pretty bad criminals. They get them from the U.S. Marshall. They bring quite a bit of money into the county. That is one way that the Sheriff helps Big Horn County is by housing them.” 

Neves added that the county is still making payments on the jail facility and will be for several more years. 

Jolley said, “We really don’t know what we are in for yet.” Craft expounded that the county has already started working on the budget without knowing what will be coming in from the state. They anticipate the budget will be very tight. 

The commissioners thanked the group for coming in. 

OTHER BUSINESS 

• Engineering/Road/Bridge gave department reports. 

•Emergency Management Coordinator LaRae Dobbs discussed a budget adjustment.

• Representatives from the Basin and Lovell Area Chambers along with representatives from the town of Greybull presented marketing plans for Big Horn County. 

• Land Planning and Airport department reports were given by Stephanie May and Paul Thur.