Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve emergency budget amendment for jail repairs and camera upgrades
Summary
Facing inoperable sallyport doors, nonworking jail cameras and accumulated comp time, Newton County approved a budget amendment (rolled-over funds) to address urgent jail safety and security repairs.
Newton County Commissioners voted to approve a budget amendment to address immediate safety and security issues at the county jail, including multiple inoperable doors, malfunctioning camera systems and payments to reduce accumulated comp time for jail staff.
County presentation: The judge and county staff described multiple doors that would not lock and a sallyport door inoperable for many years, concerns that directly affect officer and inmate safety. The court noted the jail camera system had many nonworking cameras and that dispatch and jail staff could not reliably monitor inmate intake areas.
The court approved spending rolled-over sheriff's office funds from 2024 — read on the record as roughly "$125,200 (read as '125,200 79')" — to cover these repairs and equipment upgrades. Commissioners emphasized this approval is an emergency measure for 2025 rather than a general practice of rolling budgeted funds forward.
Action and rationale: Commissioner F moved to approve the amendment; Commissioner White seconded. The motion passed by voice vote. Commissioners and staff said prompt repairs are needed to meet statutory responsibilities for operating a county jail and to protect staff and the public.
Next steps: County staff and the sheriff's office will proceed with procurement and repair work; funding reimbursement or final accounting may follow as audits and grant reimbursements are processed.
