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Newton County approves eight new detention-officer positions after sheriff warns of staffing shortfall
Summary
The Newton County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 6 to authorize eight new detention-officer positions after Sheriff Ezell Brown presented budget history and staffing analyses he said show the jail is short-staffed and relying heavily on overtime.
Sheriff Ezell Brown asked the Newton County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 6 to authorize eight additional detention-officer positions, saying the jail is operating short-handed and is relying on mandatory overtime to maintain safe staffing levels. The board approved the request by voice vote after a wide-ranging budget discussion.
Brown said the jail's population and operating costs have increased while some budget awards have declined, leaving the sheriff's office to absorb legally required inmate services such as medical care and meals. Finance staff presented multi-year figures that, the…
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