Newton County approves eight detention officer positions after sheriff's staffing and budget presentation
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Summary
After a fiscal overview showing growing inmate-related costs, the Newton County Board of Commissioners approved a request from Sheriff Ezell Brown to allocate eight additional detention officer positions to address staffing shortfalls and reduce mandatory overtime.
Sheriff Ezell Brown asked the Newton County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 6 to allocate eight new detention officer positions to address chronic staffing shortages at the county jail, and the board voted to approve the request.
The sheriff opened the request with a historical and safety-focused explanation, recounting layoffs in 2010 and an increase in inmate population since the facility opened. "We are more than 50 officers short for safety and security of the jail," Brown said, arguing the shortfall has forced mandatory overtime and strains staff and inmate safety.
The county's finance presenter (Reuben) gave a fiscal overview showing that operational line items have risen while awards for those line items have fallen. He told the board the office requested $3,600,000 for inmate medicals and was awarded $2.9 million, yet expended a little more than $3.7 million, producing a gap of about $735,000; overtime and other legally mandated expenses further widened the shortfall. Brandy Burch, who presented staffing history, said the sheriff's office has not been allocated new positions since 2021 and stressed that vacant positions must be available for hires when applicants appear.
Commissioners acknowledged the need but pressed for reconciled numbers and audit details before approving ongoing funding. Commissioner Long said he was prepared to authorize hires after receiving clearer accounting. Commissioner Edwards said the department's 95% fill rate for current job titles supports the case for adding positions. The county manager confirmed an audit had concluded Dec. 30 and that staff would provide requested financial breakdowns at the next meeting.
After discussion, a motion to allocate the eight detention officer positions (the board's action allocates the positions; funds are moved into the sheriff's personnel lines as hires occur) was made and seconded and the board voted to approve the allocation.
The sheriff said the office would proceed with recruitment once positions are allocated; the county manager and finance staff agreed to provide detailed reconciliations and follow-up with a staffing-analysis presentation expected from the sheriff's office.
The vote followed the board's customary procedure of allocating positions first and funding as hires are made; no individual vote tallies were recorded in the public proceedings.
