SPECIAL MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

February 8, 2002

 The Special Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on February 8, 2002 at 9:00 a.m. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room, with the following Commissioners present:

Chairman Tony Parker
Vice Chairman Danny Stevens
Comm. Sammy Yearty
Comm. Lilly Rooks
Comm. Don Foley

 Also present were:

Clerk of Court Danny J. Shipp

 Chairman Parker called the workshop to order at 9:00 a.m. for the purpose of discussing a proposal for the construction of additional space at the jail.

JAIL

Sheriff Smith explained the jail is currently running at capacity and could be in a serious position for housing prisoners in the next few years.

Captain Mike Johnson said the inmate population is continuing to grow with the increase of the county population and constructing an additional facility will allow for a more efficiently run jail and allow a better security system.  Captain Johnson said the proposal recommends 160 beds with a medical facility and with the current space and the additional space the housing of federal inmates could offset costs.

Sheriff Smith said the design being considered would allow for central supervision of the inmates. Sheriff Smith said the design of the Bradford County Jail addresses the needs and recommended a inspection of that facility.

Mrs. Renate Cannon inquired into why additional beds should be included for non-local criminals, the issue of housing federal inmates, and suggested  planning  the needs of the county for the next 20 to 25 years.

Comm. Yearty said sources of funding needed to be reviewed, the impact to the current infrastructure and other space needs.

Sheriff Smith said a “needs assessment” should be prepared for the present facility and the impact of increasing the size of the facility.

Captain Johnson said committing to the housing of federal inmates may allow for  some  federal funding and also funds paid for the housing of federal inmates could offset some of the costs in the construction of the facility.

Mrs. Sandy Fink said the violent and non-violent, and local and non-local inmates should be separated.

Mrs. Karen Fishbaugh recommended using inmates to offset costs to the county.  Major Bobby McCallum explained the majority of the inmates had not yet been sentenced and could not be used in work programs.

Mr. Quackenbush commented on the criminal justice system.

Sheriff Smith explained there are a limited number of contractors with the experience to construct a jail.

Chairman Parker appointed Comm. Yearty, Mr. Fred Moody, Sheriff Smith and Mr. Danny Shipp to review and prepare a local “needs assessment” and to report on their findings at the March 19, 2002 regular meeting.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

                                                          

Tony Parker, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

Danny J. Shipp, Clerk of Court