Sheriff Brackett (title not formally recorded in the transcript) updated commissioners on jail counts and operations, requested payment authorization for a cruiser collision repair, and secured approval for an animal-control contract and new in-cruiser laptops.

The sheriff reported the jail population was around 170 inmates and described the month-to-month fluctuations. The sheriff said one invoice to Hillside Collision Center covers repairs to Unit 820, a 2023 cruiser involved in an employee parking incident; the sheriff said the invoice “totals $7,951.08” and that the county had received payment from the employee’s insurer. A motion to approve payment listed $7,009.51 in the motion and was approved 3–0. The sheriff said he expected the vehicle to be returned by Friday.

The commissioners approved a short-term animal control contract with the Town of Southport, to run from Aug. 1 through the end of the year to align contract dates with existing service agreements. The sheriff said the contract terms are “the exact same as all the other contracts.” The motion to approve passed 3–0.

The board also authorized the sheriff’s office to purchase five rugged in‑vehicle laptops (Toughbooks). Staff described the devices as mounted computers that provide access to the computer-aided dispatch network, allow officers to complete reports in the field and, when connectivity is available, to access driver records. Meeting remarks first stated a total price “including the warranty and the power car power adapter” of $13,820; the motion introduced an amount of $13,008.20 and the purchase was approved 3–0. Staff said these purchases come from an IT reserve account and follow routine replacement cycles.

The sheriff also reported the department has agreements under discussion with other towns for animal control services and that Edgecomb may be considered next. Commissioners asked about fleet backups and were told the office maintains one or two spare cruisers from a fleet of roughly 27–28 vehicles.