Halifax County approves noncompetitive purchase of body scanner, funds schematic design and hires architect for new detention center

The Halifax County Board of Commissioners on March 10 authorized a noncompetitive purchase of a body scanner for the county detention center, approved a capital appropriation to begin schematic design for a new detention facility and awarded an architectural contract to Moseley Architects.

County Assistant Manager Turner Rollins told commissioners that the county received a $225,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to purchase the body scanner and asked the board to approve a noncompetitive procurement because the sheriff’s office had identified a specific model with features it requires.

Rollins said the proposed model — the TEC84 Interceptor used by multiple North Carolina counties — uses low-dose X-ray technology to detect concealed items, reduces the need for invasive searches and integrates with jail management systems. Jail administrator Matt Brown described operational benefits, saying the scanner “takes a complete scan of a person in about four seconds” and can reduce staff exposure to hazards such as fentanyl. Brown and Rollins said the scanner vendor will provide two-and-a-half days of in-person training and that a five‑year warranty option was available.

The board voted to approve the noncompetitive procurement after a brief question-and-answer period about pacemakers, warranty performance and training; Rollins said available research indicates the technology does not interfere with pacemakers and that neighboring counties using the model reported satisfactory vendor support. Vice Chair Myra Davis moved approval; Commissioner Jimmy Silva seconded the motion and the board voted in favor.

On the detention center itself, the board adopted a capital project ordinance to appropriate $573,750 from the general fund to pay schematic-design services so the county can begin work before anticipated financing closes. Rollins and County Manager Mary Denton said the county is pursuing a potential USDA Rural Development loan for construction and wants Moseley to begin schematic design now so the project timeline can proceed.

The board also approved a professional-services contract with Moseley Architects for design and construction-phase services. Assistant County Manager Turner Rollins and Moseley’s materials presented a contract total of $3.92 million for the full suite of architectural services; Rollins and county staff clarified the $573,750 amount covers schematic design through the current fiscal year and that additional design-development and construction-document costs will follow in subsequent budget cycles.

Finally the board authorized First Tryon work authorization number 7 — a $26,000 pre-construction work authorization under the county’s existing agreement with that firm — so that pre-close planning may proceed. County staff said First Tryon will start work immediately but will not invoice the county until financing closes.

Discussion recorded in the meeting noted the project will involve additional design phases, multiple staff and stakeholder meetings, and that construction likely would not begin until roughly a year from now. Commissioners asked about program components and operational features; Commissioner Redding asked that a day‑treatment program be considered as part of the facility design, and Rollins said such programmatic features are part of schematic-design conversations with the architect.

The two separate motions (the procurement resolution for the body scanner and the capital/contract items related to the detention center) passed on voice votes with no recorded dissents.