Pitt County staff is requesting permission to pursue a new medical services contract for the detention center after the current provider asked for an increase 22 percent above the agreed-upon contract.
The Pitt County Board of Commissioners is set to vote on the request along with items involving the county’s solid waste convenience sites and pre-trial advisory services at its 6 p.m. Monday meeting at 1717 W. Fifth St..
WellPath is the company that currently provides inmate health care services at the Pitt County Detention Center, according to the board’s agenda materials.
Its contract allows the company to request a yearly price increase up to 5 percent. The increase was requested and approved for the new fiscal year that started July 1.
WellPath recently requested an additional 22 percent price increase, saying if it is denied it will terminate the existing contract.
County staff is recommending requests for proposals be sought with the goal of awarding the contract in early October and the selected provider starting in November.
Commissioners budgeted nearly $3.6 million for inmate health services this year.
The county first contracted with Wellpath in 2021 after a recommendation from Sheriff Paula Dance that drew criticism from board member Tom Coulson.
Commissioners in 2002 unanimously approved a contract extension for $3.13 million, a price that was $1 million over the 2021 agreement.
The commissioners approved that contract on the condition a panel be established to review Wellpath’s performance.
The commissioners also are being asked to approve the recommendations for operating a pretrial services program and asking the advisory board that is developing the program to submit a detailed budget proposal.
A pretrial services program assists the court and judicial officers in making release decisions that promote court appearances and public safety along with getting qualified individuals into programs that would benefit them.
The advisory board is recommending the program hire a director, two assessors who will determine who is accepted into the program, and two case managers who will supervise the participants.
Along with funding for staff, the program also has recommended technology purchases, training programs and a translation budget be funded.
The board’s recommended budget is $287,999 annually, but that does not include employee benefits.
Pitt County Solid Waste and Recycling Director John Demary will report on the operations at the county’s 14 solid waste convenience sites.
The county currently contracts with Truss-Denim Group to operate five locations and Holden Temporaries to operate nine sites.
Monday’s report will outline the expectations for operating the sites and the current conditions at the locations.
Staff will bring back recommendations for continued operations of the sites at a future meeting, according to the commissioners’ agenda materials.
Also on Monday’s agenda:
Reappointment of Russell D. Hill as Pitt County’s tax administrator.Recognition of employee of the month Crystal Melton, project manager with the county’s economic development department.Annual settlement of taxes for fiscal year 2023-24.Reappointment to the Winterville Board of Adjustment.Reappointment to the ABC Board.
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