Orange County NC Website
23 <br /> found guilty or pled guilty for a misdemeanor. He said that the NC Sheriff's Association agreed to <br /> house those folks for the NC Department of Corrections. He said they can be there for up to two <br /> years. He said that these are usually the habitual DWI folks. He said they house pre-trial federal <br /> inmates, but that population is currently zero. <br /> Chair Bedford asked if the detainees had been denied bail. <br /> Tim Jones said that they either have been charged with something that the judge did not <br /> set a bond for, or they are given a bond they cannot make. He said that the higher bonds are <br /> usually for several failure to appears, which causes the bond to increase. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she was pleased to see that in-person visitation was <br /> starting up again. <br /> Vice-Chair Greene agreed with Commissioner Portie-Ascott. She said that the suggested <br /> changes for the shift work seem like they will be very good for the employees. <br /> Commissioner Richards thanked the Sheriff and Matrix Consulting for their work and being <br /> open to change. She said that when the county built a new facility, it meant that it would operate <br /> differently. She said that separating the detention center budget from the Sheriff's Office budget <br /> would be helpful. She said that having desk manuals for each role will be helpful and will create <br /> efficiencies. She said having a road map for staffing will help during budget planning. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton said that having the consultant's outside help is beneficial. She <br /> asked if there are detention center programming models from other counties or states and <br /> encouraged them to look into that. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he is pleased that the facility is not at capacity. He said that it <br /> speaks well to the programs and policies that Orange County and Orange County Sheriff's Office <br /> have put in place. He said that it is important that when detainees are released that the county <br /> has done everything possible to make them successful. <br /> Chair Bedford said that the Sheriff's Office is an elected and difficult job. She said that she <br /> knows it is hard to work in a detention center and law enforcement. She discussed the importance <br /> of continual training for employees. She petitioned for the County Manager to research the cost <br /> of a body scanner and see if there is available funding to purchase it in the current fiscal year. <br /> She said that she supports separating the detention center budget from the Sheriff's Office <br /> budget. She supported freeing up the business officer so they can do more administrative work. <br /> She said she thought the outdoor space was small and that not that many people could use it at <br /> any one time. She said that getting more than just a staffing study from the consultant is helpful. <br /> She said having more programming is better for the detainees and their families. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENTS: <br /> Ashley Nissler said she represents the Orange County Justice Project NC. She thanked <br /> Commissioner Richards for starting this conversation and that having the in-person visitation is <br /> great and she hopes it will be successful. She said they also support having more programming. <br /> She said whatever result comes for the detainee, the services provided in the detention facility <br /> will set them on a positive path. <br /> 8. Consent Agenda <br /> • Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda <br /> • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda <br /> • Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to <br /> approve the consent agenda. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />