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County officials report jail bookings, ambulance finances, courthouse security upgrades and 9-1-1 grant work
Summary
At the July 10 meeting officials reported June jail/bookings statistics, ongoing jail hiring challenges, ambulance billing improvements tied to GEMT reimbursements, a new courthouse security kiosk and work on PSAP/NG9-1-1 grant applications and dispatch electrical work.
Richland County public safety officials on July 10 provided a series of routine operational updates covering sheriff’s statistics, ambulance finances, courthouse security improvements and 9-1-1 grant planning.
The sheriff reported June figures including 51 bookings and an average daily inmate population of about 31.23; dispatch handled 685 calls in June, including 101 EMS calls and 138 police calls. The sheriff also said two jailer positions remain open and that a new round of interviews had begun, with several committee members scheduled to sit in on interviews July 14. "We are still down those 2 positions that we've been trying to fill now," the sheriff said.
The ambulance service representative reported year-to-date revenue and expense trends and a reduced deficit (about $17,000), noting the county recently received GEMT (a Medicaid/Medicare supplemental reimbursement) payments that improved the picture. The presenter said gross charges rose after switching billing companies and mentioned a tire replacement quote of about $2,700 for vehicle '33.'
Court staff described a recent courthouse security kiosk upgrade — new cabling, computer and cameras — that improved color video visibility in hallways and courtrooms. Staff invited committee members to tour the system when court is in session and said civilian-response training to active-shooter scenarios is being scheduled for September and will be open to employees.
Emergency communications staff reported the PSAP grant is contracted for electrical work ahead of new dispatch consoles, that a 2027 grant round has been released (applications due in August), and that NG9-1-1 planning is ongoing with MIS and land services. Committee members noted the 75¢ monthly wireless surcharge that funds parts of the 9-1-1 system.
Committee members asked routine clarifying questions and were updated on next steps for hiring, vehicle maintenance and grant applications. No formal policy decisions were taken in this set of reports.
