Newton County approves eight new detention-officer positions after sheriff warns of staffing shortfall

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 sheriff's office said, showed an overage of roughly $2.2 million in FY2025 driven by medical, food and overtime line items. Reuben, the sheriff's budget presenter, said the office had returned roughly $4.8 million of awarded but unspent funds across several years and that the department has not received new position allocations since 2021.

Brandy Burch, speaking for the sheriff's personnel request, said recruiting conditions have improved and the office needs position authorizations now so hires can be offered quickly. "If we don't have a position to put them in, they're going to that agency that has called them," she said, arguing the county risks losing applicants without approved positions.

Commissioners pressed for more granular numbers and audit information before agreeing to new positions. Commissioner Long said she supported hiring the officers but wanted a clearer accounting of the budget figures; Commissioner Cooper and Commissioner Edwards cited the jail visit and accrediting results as evidence of operational needs. County Manager James Brown told commissioners the county audit was completed Dec. 30 and that staff would provide requested figures at the next board meeting.

After discussion, the board made and approved a motion to allocate the eight detention-officer positions; the chair recorded the motion as carried by voice vote (vote tally not specified in the transcript). The sheriff said the office would hire and the county would move funds into the personnel line once hires occur, rather than putting the full salary cost into the account up front.

What happens next: Staff will provide the audit figures and any requested budget breakdown at the next board meeting. The sheriff said he plans to present a formal staffing analysis to the board when it is completed.