County Exploring Options To Fill Sheriff's Post


Travis Oetter's last day as Mills County Sheriff will be Friday, Dec. 1.

The Mills County Board Of Supervisors accepted the resignation of sheriff Travis Oetter at a special meeting last Wednesday. Oetter’s  resignation was submitted Nov. 27 and his last day in the position was Dec. 1.

Oetter did not attend the meeting and was not available for comment.

Per state code, Chief Deputy Josh England automatically assumed the position of acting sheriff, while the county works on appointing a person to complete the remainder of the sheriff’s term, which runs through December 2024.

A special election could also take place if there is opposition to a board appointment and/or another person seeks to serve as interim sheriff for the remainder of the term.

The sheriff’s position will be on the November 2024 general election ballot.  England, who was in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting, said he doesn’t intend to run for sheriff in 2024. Rural Glenwood resident and veteran law enforcement officer Greg Schultz, currently a captain with the Council Bluffs Police Department, has announced his intentions to run for the sheriff’s post in 2024.

For now, England will serve as acting sheriff while the county explores its options. The county has 40 days from Oetter’s resignation date to fill the position. Board members discussed the possibility of appointing England to fill out the remainder of the term, but it would require a 60 percent buyout of his existing vacation and sick time. 

England, a Florida native, has been a deputy with the Mills County Sheriff’s Office for over 14 years. He worked for law enforcement agencies in Atlantic and Monroe County, Fla., before joining the sheriff’s office in June 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Opinion-Tribune

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