The Bradley County sheriff told commissioners the jail passed its accreditation audit in October 2025 and that the state's increase in Tier 1 funding could materially raise county revenue tied to state inmates. The sheriff said the state raised the Tier 1 payment from $3 to $6 per state inmate per day, and estimated that change could amount to roughly $200,000 a year if accreditation is retained.

A staff presenter provided month-by-month Tier 1 figures for 2025, reporting August at $19,344, September $17,460, October $21,018 and November $19,080. The presenter said the amounts fluctuate with the number of state inmates housed in the facility and confirmed the facility passed the accreditation audit in October.

Commissioners asked what Tier 1 accreditation requires. A staff member said Tier 1 requires additional inmate programs and services beyond the minimum, listing church programs, education (including GED classes), Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous programming, and 24-hour medical coverage as examples. Commissioners congratulated staff on recent program outcomes, including eight inmates who graduated with GEDs.

The sheriff and staff noted the extra funding is contingent on maintaining accreditation and on the number of eligible state inmates. No budget figure or formal appropriation was adopted at the meeting; the sheriff said he would include revenue and any recommended staffing or program changes in the next budget submission.