Naylor Secures Full-Time Deputy With Cost-Share Law Enforcement Agreement

The city of Naylor will soon once again have a full-time deputy on duty.

The Naylor city council unanimously voted March 5 to approve a cost-share law enforcement coverage agreement with the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department.

Ripley County Sheriff Rad Talburt, who proposed the agreement, told the council, “You will be paying for the service of a full-time deputy, and I’ll make sure you get your money’s worth.”

The agreement is actually three-fold with the city of Naylor, the Naylor R-II school district and the county all contributing a share of the cost.

A school resource officer will be on campus during morning student drop-off and evenings when students are picked up (as they are now). He will appear at ball games and other school events, as well as be present on campus for not less than 20 hours each week when school is in session.

Depending on availability and the department’s scheduling needs, either the SRO or another deputy will be on duty patrolling the city of Naylor.

Sheriff Talburt said he will work with the council to make sure the department’s schedule meets Naylor’s needs. While on duty in Naylor deputies will keep order while also enforcing city ordinances.

Citations will be issued to violators.

Attorney Chris Miller stated that although there will not be any type of quota required, he will work with the Ripley County court system to see that the cases are prosecuted, and the fines which are paid will be applied against the $12,000 a year which is the city’s share.

A contract was expected to be presented for approval to the Ripley County Commission during the March 12 meeting, but Talburt said, “I don’t expect there will be any problems. The commission is in full support of the plan.”

As county employees the deputies assigned to Naylor will be provided with a vehicle, equipment and benefits. The school district and city of Naylor will each be billed for 20 hours (at the minimum wage rate).

Waste/Wastewater Supervisor Ronnie Young reported that the water tower computer is malfunctioning.

“I can’t really tell how much water we have in there, but I am just making sure to put enough in to keep it full enough,” said Young.

He is operating the system by hand. A part has been ordered, and hopefully that will fix the issue. If not, he will have to call someone in to repair it. The system was installed in 2001.

He reported that an engineer visited the new well site and marked the grounds for construction. The projected date for everything to be completed is likely January of 2026.

Street Supervisor Jake Fisher told the council that he was kept busy plowing streets during February’s winter weather. A number of street signs and mailboxes were knocked down by a careless driver, who has committed to paying for damages.

Fisher reported that he and Chad McKinney picked up four tons of cold patch asphalt, at a cost of $498.99, and he had since been repairing pot holes.

The Naylor city council meets at 4 p.m., the first Wednesday of each month at the Naylor City Hall.