Sheriff urges board to renew seven‑figure inmate health contract with 2.5% increase

Commander Dean McNulty, Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, urged the board to renew the county’s inmate health‑care contract with Turnkey Health, describing it as a comprehensive, seven‑figure agreement that provides on‑site and off‑site medical coverage.

McNulty told commissioners that Turnkey provides staffing ‘‘20 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year’’ and that the vendor supplies nurses and on‑call physicians and negotiates billing for off‑site care through its Oklahoma City billing office. ‘‘So we do save a lot of money in that regard,’’ McNulty said, adding that the contract also includes a mental‑health clinician on site 40 hours a week with telehealth backup.

The sheriff’s office representative described the requested increase as modest in the current fiscal context: ‘‘It’s about 2.5%.’’ McNulty said the increase reflects rising personnel costs and benefits and noted there were no new positions embedded in the renewal; coverage levels will remain the same.

The commander recommended the renewal, saying the vendor has been responsive when corrective actions were needed and that telehealth options increase access for mental‑health evaluations and follow‑up care. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about telehealth and staffing levels; McNulty confirmed telehealth services will supplement on‑site clinicians when necessary.

The item was presented as part of the consent agenda with a request to leave it there for formal action at the next regular meeting.

Next steps: staff will present the contract on the consent calendar at the board’s regular meeting for formal ratification.