Commissioners approve negotiating contract with Sunrigo Services for Young County jail meals

The Young County Commissioners Court voted 5-0 to authorize staff to move forward negotiating a contract with Sunrigo Services to provide jail meals at a price of $2.10 per plate.

The vote came after a presentation by Heiko Beals, a representative of Sunrigo Services, who described the company’s experience in jail food service, a transition plan and onsite staffing proposal. County officials said the current vendor, Cellmate Food Services, has notified the county it will exit the contract, and the court directed staff to negotiate terms with Sunrigo and return with a contract for formal approval.

Beals told the court Sunrigo would provide two onsite employees — one full-time and one part-time — to handle food preparation, ordering and administrative duties. He said Sunrigo employs a certified nutritionist and has experience supplying meals to multiple detention and senior programs; his firm provided a sample transition plan as part of its presentation. “The biggest liability of the county is that jail,” Beals said, adding that the presence of dedicated food-service staff reduces that liability by keeping custody staff available for security duties.

Sheriff Babcock and Captain Beverly (jail staff) participated in the discussion and supported seeking a vendor that supplies onsite personnel. Commissioners and staff noted the county will have to budget for higher ongoing food expenses; Beals and other participants estimated a roughly 5–7% increase in food service costs, and that the transition would require purchasing inventory and staffing recruitment. The company also said it has begun local recruiting but described hiring as a challenge for small counties.

County officials discussed timing: the current vendor’s exit was described as likely in July, leaving the county time to negotiate and transition. Commissioners said they expected to return to the court with a final contract and budget language for formal adoption.

Motion and next steps: The court’s motion to “approve moving forward with working with [Sunrigo Services] on a contract” was made by Alan Craig and seconded by Jimmy Wiley; the motion passed 5-0. Staff were directed to complete negotiations, review the vendor’s insurance and transition plan, and bring a proposed contract back to the court for final approval.

Details the record shows: the price discussed for meals was $2.10 per plate; Sunrigo’s proposal includes two onsite employees (one full-time, one part-time) and a nutritionist review. The court did not adopt a final contract at the meeting and identified outstanding items — vendor insurance, transition inventory and exact payroll/benefit amounts — that staff must verify before final execution.