Committee approves $200,000 appropriation for jail overtime after extended staffing discussion

Deputy Chief Stafford told the committee that “the total amount is $200,000, to appropriate for take account for for jail overtime,” and outlined multiple contributing factors: the new jail footprint, state-mandated training for newly hired officers, and situations requiring 1-to-1 coverage when inmates require hospital stays. He said the department has added beds and operational space—three floors, holding cells and additional security points—so staffing needs have increased compared with the prior facility.