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Residents press for deputy raises; sheriff asks commissioners to fund jail sprinkler repairs and body armor
Summary
A citizen read a petition urging pay raises for Lamar County sheriff's deputies. Sheriff Bobby Gatwell presented a quote to repair five critical sprinkler items at the jail, reported a $3,655 donation toward body armor and asked the commission to fund repairs and related safety equipment.
A citizen reading a letter from Tiffany Truel urged the Lamar County Commission on Sept. 8 to make pay raises for sheriff's deputies a budget priority, saying deputies face dangerous shifts and that the county risks losing experienced staff to higher wages in surrounding counties. "A fair pay raise would not only help provide for their families, but it would show that Lamar County stands behind the people who put their lives on the line for us," the letter said.
Sheriff Bobby Gatwell reported to the commission that he has a written quote from Global Fire Protection Systems to repair five critical items on the jail sprinkler system so it can be re-certified. The transcript records that quote as $1,256.66 for the listed critical repairs; commissioners amended the agenda to consider the sheriff's request and approved adding the item for payment. Gatwell also told commissioners the Alabama chapter of the Iron Angels raised $3,655 for the sheriff's office and said he intends to use that donation toward body armor for deputies. "It's my intention to use that money directly towards our new body armor," Gatwell said. He said the body‑armor project costs about $19,000 and that an RC&D award of $9,000 is expected to help cover the remainder.
Commissioners discussed budget constraints and the limits on how specific district funds may be used. Several commissioners said they would review budget lines with staff and invited extension and sheriff's office representatives to a budget meeting for further detail. The commission approved motions on the agenda amendment to consider the sprinkler repairs and moved forward with the procurement process.
The meeting record does not include a detailed roll‑call vote breakdown on the sprinkler payment beyond commissioners' voice approval. The sheriff's quoted repair amount appears inconsistent in the transcript in the exact figures cited; the commission's action was to add the repair request to the agenda and to authorize payment per the motion approved at the meeting.
Next steps: the commission directed staff to process the approved agenda amendment and to follow administrative procurement steps so the sheriff can proceed with the repairs and equipment purchases.
