St. Charles County Sheriff Tom Neer Appointed to Serve on Council to Distribute Money Collected From Sheriff's Deputies Serving Civil Summons

St. Charles County Sheriff Tom Neer  was appointed to serve as one of five sheriffs on the Missouri Sheriffs’ Methamphetamine Relief Taskforce, which distributes money collected from charges for serving any summons, according to a press release. 

The $10 fee has been collected for serving summons and subpoenas in civil cases after the state law was passed. 

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann filed suit after the law was passed contending there were no set standards for distributing the funds. The Cole County Circuit Court ruled in September 2009 that the lack of standards would not be ripe for a court to hear until the General Assembly appropriated the funds. St. Louis County joined in that lawsuit. 

Ehlmann is hopeful that the standards for distributing the funds would be set more favorable so money from this supplemental fund could come back to St. Charles County so deputies can get raises.

Ehlmann said the County could be looking at $400,000 in fees collected here that could be returned here for the sole use of salary increases for sheriff deputies.

“We have questioned the statute because it lacks standards for disbursement of the money," said Ehlmann. "I’m less concerned now that Tom will be on the board. He will help us get back for our deputies the money we sent to Jefferson City.”