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Liberty County approves up to $550,000 in emergency overtime to keep jail staffed
Summary
Commissioners authorized immediate emergency overtime payments for correctional officers and directed the auditor to move up to $550,000 into the jail budget to maintain minimum staffing while hiring continues.
Liberty County Commissioners on the record approved an emergency overtime payment plan to shore up staffing at the Liberty County Jail and directed the auditor to move up to $550,000 into the jail budget to cover overtime costs.
Commissioner Greg read the motion on the floor noting that inadequate staffing "is causing the need for the emergency overtime to cover the staffing needs at the county jail until further staff can be hired." The motion instructed the county auditor to transfer funds, up to $550,000, for overtime pay effective immediately.
The commissioners voted in favor of the motion (mover: Greg; second: David) and the measure carried. County officials said the overtime is a stopgap while recruitment continues; the motion text recorded on the public record states the payment is to "maintain adequate jail staffing standards at the Liberty County Jail" and that the auditor will move up to $550,000 into the jail budget for this purpose.
The action authorizes immediate overtime payments and a corresponding internal transfer; the transcript does not indicate whether the overtime will be offset by other funding sources or later reimbursement. County staff said hiring efforts will continue and the overtime authorization is effective the day it was approved.
