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Champaign County board approves a reimbursed deputy for Savoy and a new inmate‑health contract
Summary
The board approved adding a fourth sheriff deputy assigned to the village of Savoy (100% reimbursed by Savoy, including overtime when applicable) and authorized a contract with Quality Correctional Health Care for inmate medical and mental‑health services; the sheriff said the new contract costs less than prior 24/7 nursing coverage and projects roughly $400,000 in annual savings.
The Champaign County Board approved two sheriff proposals: an amendment increasing the number of authorized deputy sheriff positions to add a fourth deputy for the village of Savoy (the village will reimburse the county 100% for the position), and an agreement with Quality Correctional Health Care to provide inmate medical and mental‑health services.
Deputy position: Sheriff Dustin said the additional deputy will be assigned primarily to Savoy and that Savoy fully reimburses the county for the deputy’s salary and related overtime when deputies respond to Savoy calls. The board approved the amendment by voice vote (motion mover recorded as Ares, second Lochshin).
Inmate‑health contract: The board also authorized a contract with Quality Correctional Health Care after the sheriff described the budget impact. He said the county piloted 24/7 nursing coverage and had funded part of that pilot from commissary/inmate‑welfare funds; the new contract was quoted lower than the county’s current 24/7 nursing costs and the sheriff projected roughly $400,000 in annual savings. The board approved the contract by voice vote (motion by Esri, second by Wiggs).
Why it matters: The measures alter sheriff staffing and the county’s approach to detainee health care financing; the county will absorb a slight general‑fund increase for the contract but expects net savings compared with previous 24/7 arrangements.
Quotable: “Savoy is...100% reimbursed for this position,” the sheriff said, noting the arrangement helps to better allocate county resources while providing dedicated coverage.
Next steps: Staff will finalize contract details with the state’s attorney and implement the staffing change; the sheriff said references and cost comparisons were checked before the recommendation.
