Cheatham County OKs Trinity food-services contract for jail and creates reserve for unused funds

Cheatham County Commissioners on March 21 approved a new jail food-service agreement with Trinity Services Group and created a restricted reserve for unspent jail food funds to cover potential increases in inmate population.

County Mayor Kerry McCarver presented the Trinity Services Group agreement under the Mayor's signature items. Commissioner Tim Williamson moved to approve the contract and Commissioner Diana Pike Lovell seconded; the motion passed by roll-call vote 11-0 (1 absent).

The contract sets per-meal pricing on a sliding scale tied to inmate population and requires Trinity to invoice the county weekly in arrears. The agreement includes a Capital Investment/Equipment Fund of $38,000 to be amortized over 36 months; if the agreement terminates before the amortization period ends, the county would owe the unamortized balance to Trinity, according to the contract terms.

Commissioners separately approved creating a restricted reserve titled 'Unused Jail Food Service Funds' (account 101-34625-07) not to exceed $100,000, to hold unspent jail food-service budget amounts at fiscal year end. Commissioner Ed Greer moved that reserve measure and Commissioner Diana Pike Lovell seconded; the measure passed by roll-call vote.

County officials said the reserve will help stabilize food-service funding if inmate population rises unexpectedly. The Trinity contract requires Trinity to meet Tennessee Jail Standards for food service and to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws. The contract also details a scale of meal prices, invoicing and an equipment amortization clause; full contract terms are on file with the county clerk.