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Commissioners approve sheriff’s federal grant for badge printer and accept state-funded bailiff program with monitoring bracelets
Summary
Craven County accepted a federal JAG reimbursement grant to buy a badge/ID card printer and approved state funding to place a part-time bailiff to manage court-ordered ankle-bracelet placements; the board discussed monitoring and expressed safety concerns before approving the bailiff funding 6–1.
The Craven County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17 approved two public-safety items presented by the sheriff: a federal Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) reimbursement to acquire an updated ID/badge printer for deputies, and acceptance of state funding to create a part-time bailiff post to support an ankle-bracelet program for certain defendants.
Captain Scott and Sergeant Berkman described the JAG request as a reimbursement grant to replace an outdated badge printing system that has left some deputies without current printed credentials. The board approved the reimbursement grant and the associated budget amendment; the county will house the equipment in a secure location. The presentation clarified the device will produce PVC-style identification cards for identification purposes only and will not tie into the county’s building-access software.
The second item, a state-funded part-time bailiff position, would be funded by a $30,000 state allocation that also supplies a laptop and bracelet devices provided by the state at no cost to the county. The sheriff asked the board to accept $15,000 to cover the remainder of the current fiscal year, with $30,000 budgeted for the next fiscal year; the state will perform monitoring and notify county personnel when geofence or other violations occur. The sheriff said the county’s role is to place the equipment on individuals when the judiciary orders it.
Several commissioners voiced concern about relying on a state monitoring center for cases such as domestic violence. Commissioner Mitchell said she would vote against the item because of protection concerns for victims. The board approved acceptance of the funding by roll call; the vote was recorded as six yes, one no (Commissioner Mitchell voted no). Sheriff staff described the program as “an additional tool” available when the judiciary orders an electronic-monitoring condition.
For the JAG printer, the chairman also noted the federal award paperwork includes a long list of conditions recipients must meet; he read one requirement encouraging internal policies to ban texting while driving when employees are performing grant-funded work. The board did not reject the grant; instead commissioners expressed frustration at the administrative conditions attached to federal funds.
Both actions will be implemented by the sheriff’s office in coordination with the judiciary and county finance staff; the county will receive no-cost bracelets from the state and will staff a part-time position whose salary the state has agreed to fund.
