Sheriff reports rising inmate numbers; court authorizes up to $35,000 for maintenance truck

Sheriff Jere Dee Hopson told the Simpson County Fiscal Court on Oct. 21 that tax bills should be mailed by Nov. 1 and that payments can be made at the sheriff’s office or via the county website. Hopson said the sheriff’s office needs 12 new computers at an estimated cost of about $8,000 and read a note prepared by Jada Freeman indicating the county is receiving returned funds resulting from a 2023 tax-audit over-disbursement; he requested that the court consider directing some recovered funds to purchase the computers.

Jailer Eric Vaughn reported inmate counts had increased: the jail held 264 total inmates, of whom 207 were state inmates. Vaughn said numbers are up from earlier counts, a point the court recorded for its operational oversight.

Facilities Maintenance supervisor Paul Kelley reported on a used 2021 Ford F-250 XL with 50,062 miles being offered by Bluegrass Motor Company for $34,545. The court had budgeted $30,000 for a truck and, after discussion, authorized up to an additional $5,000 (for a total of up to $35,000) to complete the purchase pending an in-person review of the vehicle. Magistrate Myron Thurman moved to authorize the additional funds; Magistrate Scott Poston seconded the motion and the court approved it.

Fire Chief Leslie Goodrum also provided an agreement/protocol update that had been sent to dispatch; the court acknowledged the update.

The meeting adjourned at 9:59 a.m.

What happens next: If the in-person review is satisfactory, Facilities will finalize the purchase within the authorized $35,000 cap; the sheriff’s office request for computers was presented for consideration alongside available recovered funds and will require administrative follow-up to confirm funding availability and purchase authorization.