Rutherford County officials forward 2025-26 detention budget to county budget committee and add entry-level administrative position

Rutherford County officials voted to forward the detention facility’s 2025-26 budget to the county budget committee and approved adding an entry-level administrative assistant position, county meeting minutes show.

The action came after staff described the budget changes and staffing needs for the facility. The board forwarded the budget after a roll-call vote that recorded William (Bill) Coe, Rick Hall, Dr. Michael McDonald and Mayor Clark voting in favor. The motion was described in the meeting as a request to send the proposed budget to the county’s budget process for further review and final approval.

The proposal includes one new administrative position described by staff as an “Admin 1, step 1” entry-level administrative assistant intended to relieve paperwork assigned to sergeants and allow them to focus on hiring, interviewing and training duties. Staff said the position was the most significant change in the 2025-26 budget materials they presented.

Staff also reviewed operational details for the facility. At the time the data were prepared, the detention center housed nine young people, three of whom were from Rutherford County, and one each from Cheatham, Gibson, Henry, Lauderdale, Montgomery and Sumner counties. Staffing vacancies reported included one full-time male detention officer position, one full-time female detention officer position and one corporal position; staff also noted three pending Family and Medical Leave Act cases.

The meeting included discussion of the county’s medical contract with Dr. Rudd. According to the presentation, the contract covers services across three county correctional facilities and for this detention center is population-based. It provides for registered nurses to conduct sick call and required physicals, nursing follow-ups for special needs including pregnant detainees, and medication administration three times per day. Staff said the bulk of day-to-day medical care is delivered by the RNs under that contract.

Officials also accepted the educational services report for March 2025, which staff said reflected ongoing supplemental educational programming during spring break. The board accepted the report with no objections.

In voting, officials asked staff to proceed through the standard budget-review steps, including committee review, before final county approvals. Staff and board members agreed to provide additional budget details as requested during the county review process.

Votes at a glance: The board adopted a motion to forward the 2025-26 detention budget to the county budget committee (roll-call recorded yes votes: William Coe; Rick Hall; Dr. Michael McDonald; Mayor Clark). No no or abstain votes were recorded in the roll call provided during the meeting.

The meeting adjourned after further routine business.