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Sheriff asks commissioners to cover deductible for jail pod door repairs after lightning strike
Summary
A lightning strike damaged the cell-door control panel in one jail pod; sheriff's staff presented vendor quotes (about $155,600 and $114,600) and requested the board use SPLOST 5 funds to cover the $15,000 deductible so repairs can proceed; staff said the issue is a security concern.
Sheriff's office staff told the commissioners that a July 10 lightning strike damaged a control panel that operates cell doors in one jail pod, leaving some doors keyed manually and creating extra security burdens.
The sheriff’s office collected multiple repair quotes: one vendor priced the work at about $155,600 and another (MTS of Greenville, Alabama) quoted $114,600. The county’s insurance administrator (ACCG) has issued a partial payment; sheriff’s staff requested the board authorize using SPLOST 5 funds to cover the $15,000 insurance deductible so the vendor work can proceed and the electronic door system can be restored.
Sheriff’s staff characterized the repair as a security issue and reported that the existing door-control panel dates to the jail’s original 1996 installation. The office said it preferred the MTS quote for scope and value, and that ACCG had been responsive during the claim process.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about vendor selection, what the insurance payment covered, and the availability of SPL OST funds; staff said they would present the formal request on the evening agenda.
