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Two Bridges jail repairs, $1M county debt share and staffing shifts drive spike in sheriff capital needs
Summary
Sheriff Joel Merry told the BAC the county must begin saving for its $1 million principal share of a regional jail line-of-credit, and described a command reorganization and rotating 'Panama' shift to address recruitment and retention; the jail collaboration now includes Knox County and has driven additional staff needs at Two Bridges.
Sheriff Joel Merry told the Budget Advisory Committee that capital needs at Two Bridges Regional Jail and related corrections upgrades are a major driver of this year’s capital requests.
Merry said the Jail Authority secured a $2 million line of credit to address roughly $1.8 million in needed repairs to central control systems, cameras and other aged infrastructure. Sagadahoc County’s share of the principal is $1,000,000, to be repaid over ten years, which Merry said is the principal cause of an 83.68% increase in capital lines for the Sheriff’s Office.
“The estimated cost for the maintenance and repairs needed is around $1.8 million to replace the central control system ...” Merry said, adding that Sagadahoc and Lincoln Counties had split principal responsibility. He said Requests for Proposals had gone out but no work had started.
Sheriff operations: Merry described a recent cultural assessment that prompted a shift from four 10-hour shifts to a Panama schedule (rotating 12-hour shifts) and a reclassification of command positions to improve continuity and reduce burnout. He noted bargaining-unit negotiations are underway and that 88% of the Sheriff’s operating budget is wages.
Regional impacts and revenue: Merry and Crosby said regional collaboration has expanded as Knox County began housing inmates at Two Bridges and the facility has also accepted federal boarders and inmates from Penobscot County. Merry said the collaboration has required hiring additional corrections staff (Nine new Corrections Officer positions requested by Two Bridges), and he said the arrangement should strengthen long-term fiscal stability for the jail.
Equipment and fleet: Merry estimated an outfitted patrol vehicle now costs about $65,000 and said the jail’s aging video and intercom systems limit ability to identify people; the capital plan includes reserves to pay down the line-of-credit and to replace vehicles when needed.
Community context: Commissioners and BAC members discussed the statutory cap on corrections funding (MRSA citation discussed by staff) and the county’s history of moving funds between accounts during tight years. Several BAC members urged clearer budget displays and yearly totals so municipal representatives can compare county and municipal tax impacts.
Next steps: the Sheriff’s Office will continue to finalize union negotiation assumptions and update capital timelines as RFP responses are evaluated. Two Bridges’ capital and staffing effects will remain a central BAC topic in coming reviews.
