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Sheriff updates committee on jail kitchen fire; license‑plate readers and cybersecurity grant discussed
Summary
At a May Law Enforcement Committee meeting, Sheriff Steve Lawson reported a kitchen fire slowed food service; meals are being provided by Sodexho and the jail kitchen should reopen in five to six weeks. The committee also heard that 11 license‑plate readers are installed (activation pending electrical work) and learned of a $69,000 cybersecurity reimbursement grant.
Chairman Louie Alford called the Law Enforcement Committee to order and members approved the Jan. 28 minutes 3‑0. Sheriff Steve Lawson told the committee an April 15 kitchen fire damaged the jail kitchen. He praised Sergeant David Harper for his early response and said the jail is using fire‑resistant barrels for clean and soiled towels as an interim safety step. "We expect the kitchen to be operational in five to six weeks," Lawson said.
Meals for inmates are being supplied through a temporary partnership with Sodexho. Cassandra Stone told the committee the county is responsible for $1.26 per meal, with insurance covering the remaining cost. The sheriff reported a temporary dip in the inmate population while kitchen operations were disrupted.
The committee also heard from Robert Jones that 11 license‑plate readers have been installed at seven locations but have not been activated because required electrical work is incomplete. Jones told the committee he estimates $25,431 per year in ongoing costs associated with the readers; C. Stone said those recurring costs will be paid from the Sheriff’s budget (101‑54110‑599).
Dewayne Scoggins announced the county, working jointly with the Mayor’s Office, received a $69,000 national cybersecurity reimbursement grant to purchase CrowdStrike licenses and endpoint protection. Amber Owens briefed the committee separately that the department earned Tennessee Corrections Institute Tier 1 accreditation in February, which produced $12,981 in additional revenue for March and raised the state per‑diem for inmates from $41 to $44.
Allen Mincy, speaking in closing communication from the audience, said 427 families participated in a recent Household Hazardous Waste Day and thanked the sheriff’s office for providing nine trustees to assist. The committee adjourned to tour the kitchen.
