Big Sandy Detention Center reviews finances and inmate work detail allotments

Big Sandy Regional Detention Center board in a meeting Thursday at the jail. (Citizen photo by Roger Smith)

Jail has employment positions open

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

PAINTSVILLE — The Big Sandy Regional Detention Center board discussed financial challenges and other business in a special meeting Thursday.

The board moved into an executive session to discuss “litigation and personnel” without taking any action.

Administrator Byron E. Hansford reported that the facility’s average monthly population had hovered around 200 for the past two months.

“That’s a good sign,” Hansford remarked, noting that Thursday’s count was 210. “When we’re over 200, we’re happy. Well, I say we’re happy—I don’t mean I’m happy that people are in jail because I’m not. But the simple fact is that people break the law and need to be in jail.”

Hansford also informed the board that staff overtime hours totaled 620 for the pay periods ending July 24, Aug. 7 and Aug. 21.

“We try to keep it down, but we get call-ins,” he explained, adding that BSRDC is currently looking to hire employees. “We have some who are getting ready to leave and some who have already left.”

In terms of financials, Hansford reported that housing inmates at the detention center cost Floyd County $3,000, the state of Kentucky $89,000, Johnson County $38,000, Lawrence County $18,000, Magoffin County $33,000, and Martin County $16,000 for August.

A discussion of the July financial summary ensued, revealing unrestricted net assets of $684,936, a net income deficit of $363,028, and total equity of $301,907. The detention center’s income for the month was $244,401, against expenses of $607,429, which included a $354,325 annual payment for liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

For housing inmates in July, the state paid $92,025, Johnson County paid $34,724, Lawrence County $25,197, Magoffin County $29,553, and Martin County $15,795.

Board treasurer Pam Burgess mentioned the jail’s bank account held $88,000, expressing concern that there would not be enough money to pay expenses.

This prompted board member Billy Patrick to ask, “How much do we have in savings that we can move over?”

“Possibly $16,000,” Burgess replied, explaining the need to set aside money monthly to pay next year’s insurance. “You can’t deplete the whole account and make it up.”

Patrick suggested the possibility of paying the insurance quarterly instead of in one lump sum. “I know we save money, but if we have to take money from savings, could we?”

Burgess outlined the trade-off, noting, “If we don’t pay [insurance] in full, we lose $4,000 or more because it just keeps going up.”

Patrick expressed his preference to lose that amount rather than miss payroll. Burgess assured the board that payroll would be met, though vendors might have to wait. She added that paying the insurance quarterly could result in accruing four months of interest if a payment is late, totaling approximately $2,400.

Board chairperson Tony Allen inquired about the center’s savings, to which Burgess responded there was $116,782 in savings and $22,310 in a certificate of deposit.

“A hundred [thousand] of that is allotted for insurance,” Burgess clarified.

Allen stated the center had at its disposal the savings and current bank balance and would be sending out bills totaling $200,000 the following week.

Hansford joined the discussion, saying that while the goal was to avoid dipping into savings, it might be necessary.

After confirming that all counties were paying their housing bills on time, the board members encouraged Burgess not to panic.

“We’re not here to make money,” Patrick said. “We’re here to keep it going.”

Allen concluded that the worst-case scenario would be to dip into savings and replenish it the following week.

The board then approved the July financial summary.

When the agenda item “inmate allotment for work detail” was raised, Hansford simply stated, “Resolved.”

Patrick questioned this, mentioning complaints from county officials who claimed they were only allowed to take four inmates while other counties received eight. Hansford attributed this to a scheduling conflict and a “misunderstanding.”

“As long as it’s fair across the board, I’m good with it,” Patrick replied.

The meeting concluded with a discussion about Five Star Commercial Roofing.

“They did the roof back in November of last year and it’s leaked ever since,” Hansford said, expressing frustration over scheduling issues.

He mentioned receiving a $500 invoice due to a leak around the flashing.

“I read the contract, and it says if there is a leak around the flashing, we have to pay,” Hansford added. “All he did was put some caulk around the flashing.”

The Big Sandy Regional Detention Center board meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the jail.


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