Council approves sheriff’s department transfers to cover jail medical and equipment adjustments

Pulaski County Council approved a request from the sheriff’s office to transfer funds between budget lines to cover changes in contracts and recent reimbursements. Council members moved and seconded a motion to approve the sheriff’s transfers as presented; the motion passed with no recorded opposition.

Meeting discussion identified one transfer of about $13,000 from equipment and audiovisual lines to jail medical services. Council members said the change reflects a shift in responsibilities under the county’s contract for jail medical care: the contracted medical provider is now paying for some services that previously had been paid by the jail or its vendor, and the county must reallocate funds accordingly. The sheriff’s office also reported a recent reimbursement for a drone purchase that had been processed through the county auditor, which prompted a request to return those funds to the sheriff’s budget line.

Councilors and the sheriff discussed part-time jail staffing; the sheriff said part-time staff are available through placement arrangements and that some current part-time staff can be called on in a pinch. After discussion a council member made a motion to approve the transfers, a second was given, and the motion was approved by voice vote.

In the same meeting the council approved advertised additional appropriations that had been advertised following the previous month’s meeting. A council member moved to approve the advertised additionals "as presented"; that motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Ending: Council indicated individual departments should bring budget details to the upcoming budget hearing if they seek longer-term changes. Several council members suggested that some appropriations and staffing questions are more appropriately resolved during the budget process.