ࡱ> 574Y U*bjbjWW "6==U&]2222222 A$,2,22 228F,r,222222 omJ FULTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING SPECIAL MEETING June 30, 2003, 9:05 A.M., E.S.T., in Assembly Room of the Fulton County Office Building. Meeting Called To Order: President Richard A. Powell called this Special Meeting to Order at 9:05 a.m., E.S.T. Present for this meeting were Commissioners Richard A. Powell, Roger D. Rose and Leslie R. Walters; also, Auditor Denise J. Bonnell. SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT: New Personnel: President Richard Powell stated this meeting was called to discuss additional Jailers for the Sheriffs Department. Rich stated at the last Council Meeting, the Council found a Temporary Funding Source and recommended hiring two (2) full-time Jailers. It has now come back to the Commissioners. Rich said when we looks at the Reports from Roy and the overcrowding that is going on it appears they are short of help and asked the Board if they agreed. However, Rich said it is a tough issue when we look at our current source of funding. Rich stated it is an absolute shortfall now with the cost of insurance coming in like it will be. Rich said the Board gave permission for one (1) new Jailer this year, 2003; also, at that time, the decision was made not to give any County Employees raises. Now we are discussing hiring two (2) more new Jailers making a total of three new Jailers; and, still no raises for any employees. Rich asked the Boards thoughts on this? Roger said he had heard the story. He stated it was his full intention to go over to the Jail and looked at the situation firsthand, but that did not happen. Roger said he feels with what Roy has been saying there is a legitimate problem and he doesnt disagree with the Council on that being a problem. He stated he feels this is a long-term problem, as well as, immediate needs. Roger said he feels, at the present, the question is what response do they need to make to the immediate need? Roger further stated he feels there needs to be a response and that Roy is correct in that this has not been addressed in a long time, but feels that adding two (2) Jailers at this time might be in excess of the need. Roger said he has heard different stories on where the money is coming from and he is not clear on that. Auditor Denise Bonnell stated the Council told her that the Sheriff should submit an Additional Appropriation out of the CAGIT Special Distribution Fund to finance their wages and benefits through this year only. Roger commented further regarding the hiring of two Jailers, if they were hired that would be a commitment for continuing next year and we still have unresolved questions as to how we are going to get financially through this year. Also, the issue of the fact the existing employees have not had a raise and if there is no improvement financially next year there is still the possibility of no raises for the existing County Personnel, but we are funding two new positions. Roger concluded that he would support 1 new Jailer, as we do need to respond to Roys needs. Then Roy should put the other Jailer in his budget for 2004 for consideration at that time. Rich said, he agreed with Roger one this year and he is not sure that two is in excess to his current need, he probably needs two. Leslie Walters spoke saying he thinks the sheriff really does need two. Leslie further stated if it is possible he should have the two. He further stated he has driven by the Jail for two Sundays in a row, as well as, going on Wednesday Night and he is going again this Wednesday just to see what it is like. He said he knows it is a problem, wherein we could get into a lawsuit or at least the possibility is there. Rich made further comments and stated he is with Roger to go with one (1) new jailer now, because there is definitely a need. At this time, Sheriff Roy Calvert stated there were sixty plus inmates over the weekend. He said they are always in the forties; they are only to house thirty-two and he has one person trying handling this. Sheriff said that Bill Wilson with the Sentinel wanted to know if Mike could come and look the situation over? The Sheriff said he invitated them to come over anytime, just like he has the Commissioners to look the situation over. Sheriff Roy said there use to be a law, that said, if the Sheriff was in an emergency situation he could appoint people to help with the running of the Jail. He further stated, he would be more than happy to appoint the Board as Special Deputies to help with the running of the Jail. He said he needs more help now, as he did not ask for two, he had asked for more but he could make do with two. He said if it were cut to one, it would be almost impossible. He now has jailers working twelve-hour shifts. He said there is no separate issue. The running of the Jail is one issue. Roger asked the sheriff what has changed at the jail in recent months thats made the situation change dramatically from what it was? Roy said they have been trying to alleviate the problem by sending the DOC people to the DOC. This is not working because now they have very few, 2-3 DOCs, that can be shipped, but everyone else is awaiting their trial/sentencing. Sheriff stated possibly one of the problems is the bond, over which he has no control. Sheriff further commented they are appointing Attorneys to represent them at the Countys expense; everything is at the Countys expense. He referred to people that are represented by a pauper attorney, that has been addressed in the years past; also, that had to be streamlined. The problem of numbers has not been dealt with, until the last six months. Sheriff stated he felt it was the bond and perhaps a taskforce should be appointed to look into that; again, the Judge runs the Court and Judicial System and the Sheriff just houses the prisoners. Sheriff stated you people are seeing the numbers, but not seeing the real dilemma he is in. Rich said he is concerned about the current help working. That was his reasoning for justifying one jailer. Sheriff suggests go with the two now and watch the situation, if the numbers fall off, he would go back then; but he needs the help now, today. The discussion continued. Rich said he feels the same rules should apply with the County as in our homes. That being, If you dont have the money, you cant spend it. Rich said he doesnt see anyway the County can come up with three new employees in one year. The Sheriff asked Rich what he meant by three and Rich said, the Deputy and two Jailers. Sheriff said the Deputy is still on the Grant; Rich, said but the County is paying insurance, etc. Sheriff said he agrees, but not for the full Deputy pay. Sheriff referring to getting caught in a lawsuit, its just that simple. Roy further stated that after the Commissioners said, there was no money, he went to the Council and they came up with the money. Roy said he came back to the Commissioners and is being told there is no money. Rich said it is only Temporary Funding. Roy said, that is fine, it is temporary, that is why he said down the road if there is fewer inmates then address it again, but right now lets address the problem. Roger spoke about the temporary funds may be available now but if they are used for this problem, then they will not be available for something else. Roger feels his concerns are more for next year than this year and he explained. Roger is thinking in terms of other County Employees, looking into next year. The discussion continued. Roy said he couldnt possibly do with only one he needs two new jailers. A citizen in attendance raised the question; if the Sheriff is short on employees, why then do you see cars setting along the State Highway roadside patrolling the speed? Let the State Police do that. He feels the Sheriffs Department has abused the use of taxpayers vehicles, for personal use, hardware, groceries and taking children to school; and, this is not just his thought, as others have commented. Roger commented again, if this situation is as serious as the Sheriff has said, he feels he will have to change his mind and support two new jailers, even though, he was prepared to say no to two, but yes to one. He feels that the Sheriff has presented a good case that he does need two now. Roger stated his concern is when Budget time comes around next year and it comes to whether or not to maintain both of these positions or funding raises for the County Employees, that really needs to be discussed. Roger feels that is one qualification, which needs to be put in this decision, at this time. Roger further stated he would be willing to support two new jailers, at this time. This concluded the discussion and Rich called for a motion. Roger Rose made a motion that the Commissioners proceed, based on the Sheriffs recommendation, that two additional jailers be hired at this time, with the money that has been allocated from the CAGIT Fund. Leslie Walters seconded this motion. Rich informed the Sheriff he is against this; he feels the need is real, its the timing, there is just too much uncertainty in the air to make that decision right now and hire two employees in one year. Motion passed 2 1 (Richard Powell voted against). This concluded the business transacted, for which this Special Meeting was called and a motion to recess was made by Roger Rose. Leslie Walters seconded this motion. Motion passed 3-0. Meeting recessed at 9:35 a.m. FULTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ____________________________ Richard A. Powell, President ____________________________ Roger D. Rose, Vice-President ____________________________ Leslie R. Walters, Member Attest: ____________________________ Denise J. 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