Potter County court approves Turnkey Health Clinics contract for jail medical services

At a Dec. 13 special meeting, the Potter County court voted 5-0 to proceed with a proposed contract with Turnkey Health Clinics LLC to provide inmate medical services at the Potter County Detention Center. The court moved from roll call to a formal motion after members said recent discussions with the sheriff and the county attorney's office addressed outstanding questions.

A commissioner told the court that he and Commissioner Coble had "met with the sheriff and county attorney's office, Jackson" and described the meeting as "positive," saying he was "ready to move forward" when the court was ready. The commissioner then moved that the court proceed with the contract as proposed; the court voted and the judge announced, "All opposed, same sign passes 5 to 0." The motion and vote were recorded on the public agenda.

Turnkey Health Clinics was represented at the meeting by Shirley Hadden, who identified herself as "regional manager over our largest jails" and the company's corporate auditor responsible for quality assurance. Hadden told the court she personally manages eight facilities and said the company operates in roughly 11 states with nearly 150 facilities.

Court members noted they had received the contract by email but did not all have hard copies in front of them during the meeting. The judge said the court could act and the motion to proceed carried. The court then moved on to a separate agenda item on courthouse security and later returned from a brief closed session with no action taken.