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Corrections director outlines jail trends and seeks $700,000 in opioid-settlement funds for scanners; board asks for legal review
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Summary
Director Michael Myers reported February corrections statistics (average daily population 1,096; staffing ~102% of officer ranks) and proposed using up to $700,000 in opioid settlement funds to replace two body scanners and add a millimeter-wave unit. CFO Laurie Perch said the county has roughly $2.19 million in opioid receipts; the board agreed to delay decision one week to confirm settlement-use restrictions.
Michael Myers, Douglas County director of corrections, presented the department's February report on March 24, telling commissioners the jail's average daily population was 1,096 (down 48) and the department was about 102% staffed for correctional officer ranks. He reported $368,934 in overtime for the month, notable operational savings of $2,680,809 year to date, and a range of pretrial and reentry metrics that Myers said translated into theoretical detention savings of roughly $694,800.
Myers described an increase in inmates with complex medical and behavioral-health needs and outlined several operational items: PREA audit follow-up, an upcoming NCCHC health-audit visit on May 6, and planning for an expansion with a new mental‑health unit that would require an estimated 25–30 FTEs to operate 24/7. On security, he described deployments of the CERT and crisis-negotiation teams and recent recovery of contraband in area searches.
Myers also proposed using opioid settlement funds to replace two aging body scanners (estimated about $175,000 each) and to purchase a millimeter‑wave scanner (roughly $300,000) for screening staff, visitors and volunteers. "We are requesting the use of opioid settlement funds to replace those two aging body scanners... and to put into place additional screening equipment for staff, visitors, contractors, volunteers," Myers said.
CFO Laurie Perch told the board the county has received about $2,191,228 in opioid funds to date and confirmed $700,000 had been budgeted in the current fiscal year for the corrections request; she said funds are still being received. Several commissioners asked staff to verify whether the proposed equipment is an allowable use under the settlement exhibit (Exhibit E) before the board commits funds.
The board left the item as discussion and agreed to return to it in one week after legal staff review of settlement restrictions and program-eligibility language.
Key figures and items: average daily population 1,096 (down 48); staffing ~102% of correctional officer ranks; $368,934 overtime in February; estimated equipment request up to $700,000; county opioid receipts roughly $2,191,228. The board did not vote to transfer funds on March 24 and requested additional legal review.
