Polk County hears from sheriff on new inmate care contract, patrol overtime

Board of Commissioners also increase 911 Capital Project budget

COLUMBUS—At the Polk County Board of Commissioners regular meeting held on Monday, July 22, the board approved an agreement between Southern Health Partners and Polk County Detention Center and a budget amendment to pay overtime for officers patrolling the Green River Cove area near Saluda.

The Board also approved increasing the budget for renovating the former jail building to serve as the county’s communication center.

Sheriff Tim Wright explained that the detention center has agreed to a one-year contract with Southern Health Partners, which offers medical care for inmates and staff. The contract provides a nurse for the inmates seven days a week and a doctor who visits twice monthly.

“They take care of the inmates. Our staff is not medically trained,” said Wright. “So we can’t legally give out medication.”

Wright explained that the group the county previously partnered with is no longer an option, but the detention center will explore other options for inmate care in the future. The motion to approve the agreement passed unanimously.

The board also approved a budget amendment for $12,828 to pay overtime for officers to patrol Green River Cove during the summer, a busy time of year in that area.

“During this time of year, there is a lot of traffic from out of state,” Wright said. “Some local, but mostly out of state.”

Wright explained that many residents in the area complain about litter and trash on their property due to the influx of visitors, and he is dedicating officers to the area to help keep the roadside clean.

Chairmen Myron Yoder said he has seen positive feedback from the public regarding using inmate labor to pick up litter and help keep the county clean.

“I’ve heard a lot of comments about this, that you have inmates out there cleaning our county roads, so thank you for implementing that,” said Yoder.

Wright said that it is a win-win situation for all involved because the inmates get to clean the area, and the county receives additional funding for them to do so.

“So if anyone out there in the public has an area that needs to be cleaned up, let us know,” said Wright. “We will get it on the list.”

The board also discussed renovating the former jail to be used as the county’s communications building. Construction costs are still up across the board and as much as 30% higher than anticipated, County Manager Marche Pittman explained.

“We come to you asking for an additional $550,155 so that we can get this project started,” Pitman said.

The board approved increasing the budget for the 911 Capital Project to $3,867,461 using the general fund balance. The former jail, located at 40 Ward Street in Columbus, was closed in 2019 when Polk’s new detention center opened, with plans for the building to house the county’s communication center.

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