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Beaufort County to sign emergency contract for detention‑center medical services amid provider exit
Summary
After Medeco gave notice it will not renew, county administrators said they will put an emergency contract with Advanced Correctional Healthcare in place Aug. 21, 2025; the stopgap contract runs through 06/30/2026 and includes an estimated $26,000-per‑month cost increase while the county readies a competitive rebid.
Beaufort County administrators told the council on Aug. 11 that the county has received 60 days’ notice from its current detention‑center medical provider, Medeco, and will enter an emergency contract so that care continues without interruption.
"Medeco has provided us with a 60 day notice that they will not renew the contract," County Administrator Michael Moore said. Moore said he will direct staff to execute an emergency agreement with Advanced Correctional Healthcare to begin Aug. 21, 2025, and run through June 30, 2026.
Moore said the short‑term contract was negotiated to avoid a gap in medical services at the detention center and to allow time for a competitive bid process for a longer contract next fiscal year. He told the council that the emergency agreement will increase the county’s monthly cost by "approximately, $26,000 per month." The county intends to rebid the services for a multi‑year term to take effect after June 30, 2026.
John Robinson, who joined staff presentations on animal services and detention operations, told council members that the county sought bidders that could mobilize quickly and that Beaufort Memorial Hospital was not prepared to provide immediate coverage. "The type of services being provided and the immediacy that we need... they're not prepared for that at the time," Robinson said.
Council members questioned contract length and whether a shorter emergency term (e.g., 2–3 months) could be used to reduce startup costs and leverage competition. Staff said the firm has startup costs and limited flexibility because of the immediacy of the need, but they will explore shortening the term to allow an earlier rebid if feasible.
The council did not vote on the emergency contract during the meeting but asked staff to return with contract terms and recommended search and procurement details. Staff said they expect to have a draft contract routed through finance, procurement and legal by the end of the week.
What’s next: staff will finalize the emergency contract paperwork and provide cost and term details to council; a competitive procurement process is planned for the next fiscal year to select a longer‑term provider.
