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Sheriff seeks $15.6M ARPA reallocation for emergency repairs at 201 Poplar; commission sends request down for more review
Summary
The Sheriff's Office asked the commission to reallocate $15.57M of ARPA funds to pay for emergency repairs at the 201 Poplar jail; the administration and budget director said alternatives within the sheriff's adopted budget should be considered and further work is needed to reconcile encumbrances and estimates before a final funding decision.
A late add‑on resolution requested that the commission reallocate $15,571,529.52 of ARPA funds (previously allocated to a Mental Health & Safety Justice Center project) to cover emergency repairs at the county jail at 201 Poplar. Alicia Lindsey, Chief Administrative Officer for the Sheriff’s Office, said the office has encumbered roughly $5.28 million of the total and still needs about $10.29 million to complete identified repairs and safety fixes.
"To date, we've encumbered $5,276,929.12," Lindsey told the commission, adding that the sheriff's office lacks budget capacity to absorb the total request. The department provided a list of required repairs — kitchen floors, doors, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other safety‑critical items — and said some estimates may change as vendors scope work in the facility. Chief Administrative Officer Harold Collins and budget director Michael Thompson said the administration had not previously seen a comprehensive, consolidated request at that scale and urged the commission to explore options, including reallocation within the sheriff's adopted FY25 budget and redirecting personnel funds to operations where possible. Thompson noted the sheriff historically underspends personnel budgets, which can provide near‑term internal offsets.
Commissioners expressed urgency on health and safety grounds but also concern about diverting ARPA funds from another approved project. After extended discussion the commission voted to send the item down without recommendation so the sheriff and administration could produce a coordinated plan and fiscal options to present at the next meeting.
