Sheriff seeks health-monitoring sensors and AEDs; county attorney says Opioid Funds can’t be used

Sheriff Tony Helms told the Geneva County Commission he would like to install health-monitoring sensors in the jail, beginning with intake and medical cells to test effectiveness, and place AED machines in the courthouse and in patrol vehicles. County Attorney Phil Eldridge said the county had tried to identify a way to pay for the sensors with Opioid Funds but "could not come up with any data" tying purchases to opioid-related arrests or incidents and concluded the Opioid Funds "cannot be used to purchase the sensors."

Eldridge described how the sensors would work: they "transmit vitals to the control room monitors" and would send alerts if an inmate’s vitals were above or below normal so a corrections officer could check the cell. He said that even absent a dedicated funding source, the sensors "could reduce our liability on any serious medical encounters in the jail and that alone could warrant the purchase." The Sheriff said he planned a demonstration of AED equipment next week and would gather cost, leasing, and training information for the commission to consider. Commissioners and staff discussed the county's limited revenue options to increase payroll or purchase new equipment and agreed outreach to state legislators was needed to discuss longer-term solutions.