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Autauga County approves mutual-aid for inmate housing; proposals to fund jail closing and legal fees fail
Summary
The county commission approved multiple mutual‑aid agreements to house inmates in neighboring counties and approved temporary sheriff budget increases; separate motions to open a purchase order for closing Autauga Metro Jail and to pay outside legal fees died for lack of a second.
The Autauga County Commission on July 2 unanimously approved a series of mutual‑aid agreements to house county inmates in five neighboring counties and authorized short‑term increases to the sheriff's vehicle maintenance and fuel budgets to cover transport costs.
Commissioners approved mutual‑aid agreements with Blount, Crenshaw, Lowndes, Russell and Cullman counties to provide additional housing capacity for Autauga County inmates. The motions were recorded as carried by unanimous vote.
Earlier in the meeting the commission approved a $10,000 increase to the sheriff's vehicle maintenance line and a $5,000 increase for fuel to cover inmate transports to courts and other facilities; both adjustments were specified to be reviewed month‑to‑month until the FY2025 budget is adopted.
Commissioner Larry Stoudemire moved two related measures addressing closure logistics and legal representation for the sheriff's office. One motion sought approval of an open purchase order to cover costs tied to closing Autauga Metro Jail, including a processing center at the sheriff's office (phone lines, cameras, internet and supplies). A second motion sought approval to pay fees for attorney Tray Richardson to represent Sheriff Mark Harrell and Autauga County Sheriff's Office employees. Both motions "died for lack of second" and were not adopted.
The record shows other jail‑related matters were addressed by unanimous motions, while the two proposals by Commissioner Stoudemire did not receive support. The commission did not provide further details on timelines for inmate transfers or the operational status of Autauga Metro Jail during the July 2 meeting.
Next steps: the county will implement the mutual‑aid agreements and monitor transport and housing needs; budget increases for vehicle maintenance and fuel remain under month‑to‑month review until FY2025 budget decisions are finalized.
