FARMINGTON – Sheriff Dennis Pike told Franklin County commissioners Tuesday that he had donated funding for three signs and six shutters placed on the sheriff’s office and the county jail.

Commissioners said they appreciated the sheriff’s donation of approximately $400, but were miffed that he had made changes to the buildings without coming to them before doing so.

Commissioner Gary McGrane said he did not want the public to have the impression that the law enforcement buildings were in need of private funding, though he said he was appreciative.

Commissioner Fred Hardy agreed, saying he appreciates the gesture but thought the changes should have been presented to the commission before they were done.

Pike had copies of the department’s shields made into placards -two small and one large – that were placed on the buildings off Route 4 in Farmington. The cost for small shields was $65 each, while the large shield cost $130.

Pike had also purchased and installed six shutters on the facing windows of the department’s building, known as the white house, at a cost of $25 each – a total of $150. The shutters were purchased at Jordan Lumber, and because the purchase was ostensibly for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, no state sales tax was charged.

Pike had not considered the implications of not paying taxes, nor had he thought to notify commissioners of his actions beforehand.

Commissioners were concerned that since the shutters were a private donation from Pike, he should have also been charged the tax.

McGrane used the example of buying a car, saving $2,100 in taxes and then saying that he was donating it to the county. Admittedly an exaggerated example, he said, but it was to illustrate a point.

Commissioner Meldon Gilmore suggested that perhaps the county should have a policy for donations.

In the end, Hardy and Gilmore voted to accept Pike’s donation, while McGrane abstained.