Andrew County ballot measure aims to fund full-time prosecutor, SROs

By Jenna Wilson

Andrew County residents will vote on a proposed sales tax Nov. 5 that aims to improve school and public safety in the community.

Andrew County officials held a forum ahead of the election to discuss a half-cent public safety sales tax increase that would fund a full-time prosecutor in the county and, in addition, would add five school resource officers to schools in Andrew County.

A lack of school resource officers and one part-time prosecuting attorney has raised concern for the public safety of the community.

Andrew County Prosecuting Attorney Monica Morrey said working to complete the duties of a full-time prosecutor on a part-time job schedule is unfeasible.

“Last year, I filed 1,117 cases and this year, I’m over 1,300 and some change,” said Morrey. “And a good number of those are serious felony offenses that take a lot of time to investigate, prosecute, and some of them go to jury trial, which takes a lot of time as well.

“Ethically, as a prosecutor, I have to give these cases the time that they deserve and the victims the time that they deserve as well,” she added.

Additionally, six schools in the Savannah School district have no school resource officers. Two schools in the Savannah district have SROs but they are only part-time employees.

Andrew County commissioners and officials shared the many drawbacks that come with this, including the inability to quickly respond to school threats.

“If my officers are up in Fillmore, Missouri, and they’re on routine patrol while something happens over at the Helena School, you’re talking 28 minutes driving over 100 mph to get there,” said Andrew County Sheriff Grant Gillett. “What are you going to do after 28 minutes? Normal statistics say within two minutes, your school shootings are over.”

The sheriff continued by discussing the importance of SROs when it comes to relationships with students, especially ones with a tough home life.

If passed, the sales tax is expected to generate $1.4 million. To fund a full-time prosecutor, it will cost around $180,000 and at least $700,000 to fully hire and equip eight SROs.

Andrew County community members at the forum voiced concern about a rise in taxpayer money and suggested collecting the money elsewhere.

However, officials stress the need for increased public safety in an area where crime is rising.

“This law enforcement tax is an excellent way to ensure that there is money and that there will be money in future years,” Morrey said. “Because crime rates are going up, not down, so it would be needed in the future and years to come.”

If the sales tax is approved, the transition to implementing a full-time prosecutor and staffing SROs would take place after January 2025.