Orange County NC Website
10 <br /> 1 per year. He said there are also officers that always want to work some overtime. He said they try <br /> 2 to absorb from the part time. He said that a factor they have to consider is that each deputy has <br /> 3 different training for their assignments. He said that because of their uniquities, it is beneficial to <br /> 4 use part-time employees to assist. He said that there is a move afoot that is supposed to expand <br /> 5 the 1000 hours. He said there is a Return-to-Work bill which would allow a retired deputy to keep <br /> 6 working without losing their supplement. He said that it allows them to keep seasoned, trained, <br /> 7 and certified officers in place. <br /> 8 Commissioner McKee asked if hiring full-time staff would alleviate overtime or would the <br /> 9 specific needs for each position require hiring more than would be reasonable. <br /> 10 Sheriff Blackwood said it would, but the cost would be much more than what they are <br /> 11 paying them now. <br /> 12 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if the court staff are temporary employees. She asked <br /> 13 if they were the ones that transport people from the detention center to court. <br /> 14 Sheriff Blackwood said there is a separate transport staff. He said court staff are designed <br /> 15 to work in the courts. He said they have some full time and some part time employees in the <br /> 16 courthouse. He said there are several courts spread out in the county that his employees have to <br /> 17 staff. <br /> 18 Commissioner Carter asked about the budgeted number to support domestic violence <br /> 19 contacts and incidents. She asked what is behind the significant increase in the budgeted number <br /> 20 vs. the last projected. <br /> 21 Sheriff Blackwood said there has been a significant increase in the number of domestic <br /> 22 violence incidents. He said there are a lot of factors at play as to why, but the numbers are through <br /> 23 the roof and is a wave that is washing over them. <br /> 24 Chair Bedford asked for an update about getting a body scanner and other updates to be <br /> 25 able to use the classroom space for those held in the detention center. <br /> 26 Sheriff Blackwood said those discussions are ongoing and as soon as there is money for <br /> 27 the updates they will work with Asset Management Services. He said the funds are present for <br /> 28 the body scanner and the funds are in the body camera line. He said that there are several <br /> 29 approvals necessary in purchasing that and those are ongoing. <br /> 30 Chair Bedford asked how in-person visitation is going at the detention center. <br /> 31 Sheriff Blackwood said it is going well, and there have been no incidents. <br /> 32 Chair Bedford asked about the bus stop. <br /> 33 Sheriff Blackwood said the bus does not run during the visitation hours. <br /> 34 Commissioner McKee said everyone appreciates the work he and his staff do to keep <br /> 35 them out of the national news. <br /> 36 Sheriff Blackwood said he is blessed with wonderful teams. He said Orange County has <br /> 37 an amazing staff, including the County Manager. He said that with the leadership they have the <br /> 38 combination of his work and Tina Sykes work has been very rewarding. <br /> 39 <br /> 40 <br />