Wayne County Council will join the county’s commissioners in opening its meetings with prayer.
During its Nov. 4 meeting, which began with the Pledge of Allegiance, council approved 6-0 adopting the legislative prayer policy commissioners approved 2-1 on Oct. 28. Council President Max Smith said council would begin with prayer during the Nov. 18 combined council/commissioners workshop.
After commissioners approved legislative prayer, each county government board or commission has the option of adopting prayer for its meetings. Prayer participation must be voluntary, and prayers must be nondenominational and not “disparage any other faith, belief or nonbelief,” according to the policy.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2014 that prayer at local government meetings does not violate the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The court said prayer must not be used to proselytize or to disparage other beliefs, and that governments may not coerce attendees to participate.
Critics have said that even permitted prayer before local meetings allows local majorities to impose their beliefs on those who want to participate in civic affairs, and that choosing not to join in can make a meeting attendee feel conspicuous in front of officials they might be there to address.
BearCat arrives
Sheriff Alan Moore alerted council it could soon expect an invoice for the county’s BearCat armored vehicle, which was finally delivered.
The BearCat, which was ordered more than two years ago, costs $370,206, with $350,000 committed from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act money. When it gained approval for the purchase, the sheriff’s department pledged to cover any cost exceeding $350,000.
Commissioner Jeff Plasterer said commissioners are investigating options for indoor parking to protect the BearCat. Doors in the current garage are not large enough to accommodate it.
Other actions
- Council approved using contingency money to pay a $45,346.26 invoice from Central Square for sheriff’s department records management conversion. Central Square did not complete work on two planned interfaces and subtracted those charges from the invoice.
- Council also approved using its one-time money to help purchase a 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle for the sheriff’s department. A 2021 Durango was struck and totaled, with insurance paying $20,000. A quote for a new Tahoe is $55,602.
- Clerk Tara Pegg requested additional money to pay election workers; however, council delayed providing the funds until Pegg provides the total spent.
- As the personnel committee, council approved posting and hiring a full-time jail food service worker, a probation officer and a physician assistant for the health department. The probation officer and physician assistant positions are funded by grants.
- During the finance committee meeting, council voted that Taconic Biosciences, SugarCreek Packing, ITD Engineering and Vandor Corp. are in compliance with requirements to receive tax abatements from the county.
A version of this article will appear in the November 11 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
