Clay County commission approves $30,950 transfer to replace mattresses, install intake cameras and repair dishwasher at juvenile facility

The Clay County Commission voted unanimously to approve a $30,950 in‑fund transfer to the juvenile department to pay for safety and maintenance items, including two intake cameras, pass‑through cell door hardware, new mattresses and a dishwasher. The motion (item 2025257) passed 6-0.

Janet Rogers, juvenile officer and director of juvenile court services, told the commission the purchases were taken from this year’s budget after the county budget committee identified available funds. “We had some money in this year's budget that was already allocated to take care of these items,” Rogers said.

Rogers said the items address safety and health problems at the juvenile detention facility. She told commissioners two items were replacement mattresses: “The mattresses at the boys and girls group homes have not been replaced for about 10 years, and they desperately need it,” and in detention “the mattresses have not been replaced in at least 15 years.” She described the intake door pass‑throughs as a safety measure so staff can hand food and medicine through a small opening without opening the entire door when juveniles are disruptive. She also said two intake cameras provide a “360 view in the intake area” to document incidents and to follow Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) guidelines. Rogers added the facility has had a broken dishwasher “going on 4, 5 years now” and said the unit is not up to health code.

Commissioners thanked Rogers and the budget team for identifying funds in the current budget rather than requesting them in 2026. Commissioner Whittington asked whether the dishwasher had been included in earlier budget requests; Rogers responded it had not been requested previously and staff had washed dishes by hand during periods of low population but could not continue that practice as the facility’s population increased.

Commissioner Johnson moved to approve item 2025257; the motion was seconded and carried by roll call 6-0.

By approving the transfer, the commission authorized the juvenile division to purchase the listed equipment and to proceed immediately with installations and replacements. No additional formal contingencies or follow‑up assignments were stated in the public record on the meeting transcript.

The purchases are internal transfers within the juvenile fund; Rogers said the budget committee reviewed the request and helped identify the current‑year funds so the expenses would not be part of the 2026 budget request.