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Jail board approves FY26 commissary budget, reelects officers and appoints general legal counsel
Summary
The board approved the FY26 commissary budget, reappointed its chair and vice chair for another year, named Ashley Jensen as general secretary, and, after closed session, voted to appoint a firm as general legal counsel effective May 21, 2025.
At its May 21 meeting the Prince William–Manassas Regional Jail Board approved a set of governance and fiscal actions including the FY26 commissary budget, officer elections and an appointment of general legal counsel after a closed session.
Commissary budget: The board voted to approve the FY26 commissary budget after the finance presenter summarized existing balances and projected spend. The presenter reported the commissary cash balance "just over $2,000,000" and inmate account balances of $98,410 as of April. The clerk conducted a roll call for the commissary budget approval and the motion carried according to the transcript record.
Officer elections: The board nominated and re-elected the chair for another one-year term, confirmed the vice chair and appointed Ashley Jensen as general secretary for another year. Roll-call responses recorded in the transcript show 'Yes' votes for these appointments.
Appointment of general legal counsel (closed session): The board moved into closed session citing personnel and attorney-client exemptions under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (the mover referenced "Virginia code section 2.2-3711(a)(1) and (8)"). After reconvening the full board, a motion to appoint the proposed counsel and approve the related engagement agreement effective 05/21/2025 passed. The transcript records two 'No' votes (Miss Ashford and Irvin Bailey) and one 'Abstain' (Mister Torres); the motion had enough affirmative votes to carry.
Why it matters: The commissary budget affects programs and services funded through commissary revenues and inmate accounts; selecting general counsel commits the board to an outside engagement and determines the board’s legal adviser going forward.
Action list and outcomes (as recorded in the transcript): - Motion to allow Reverend Bailey to participate remotely: moved and seconded; approved by voice/count. - Agenda approval (May 21): approved by voice vote. - Minutes approval (03/19/2025): approved by voice vote. - Approval of FY26 commissary budget: motion carried (roll-call recorded in the transcript). - Election/reappointment of chair and vice chair and appointment of Ashley Jensen as general secretary: approved by roll-call. - Motion to enter closed session citing Virginia Code 2.2-3711(a)(1) and (8): approved. - Appointment of general legal counsel effective 05/21/2025: carried (roll-call recorded with two 'No' and one 'Abstain').
The meeting adjourned following member comments and recognitions.
