Chief Deputy Ruth Gonzales spoke with the commissioners about a new cell check system for the Shelby County Jail.
August 23, 2023 - The Shelby County Commissioners continued the burn ban during their August 16, 2023, meeting and discussed additional options to help address the situation.
Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner for Precinct 4, commented he has had calls because people are dumping trash on the side of roadways in the county since they are not able to burn. Bellmyer encouraged for the public to be aware all four commissioner precinct barns have dumpsters where people can take their trash during the burn ban. Bellmyer asked Chief Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy Ruth Gonzales if citations were being issued, and she confirmed they are.
Bellmyer remarked on several fires previous to the meeting that were started due to people burning trash and brush. As with other commissioners, Bellmyer has placed burn ban signs in his precinct of which he stated 25 of those are in English and 10 of them are in Spanish. He reported seven of the signs have been stolen.
Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, stated those signs are county property and those who take them are stealing from the county. Resident are encouraged not to take the signs and to report anyone seen taking them. Bellmyer encouraged the return of the signs that were taken.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner for Precinct 1, wants anyone who is considering using the dumpsters at the county yards to be aware the dumpsters are only for acceptable items such as household trash and not prohibited items such as tires, paint, batteries, furniture, refrigerators, etc. Prohibited items could potentially cause the precinct to cease having a dumpster at all.
There was discussion about possibly staging dumpsters during the burn ban at some locations. Commissioner McSwain remarked there is a trash company in the area that would take a pickup truck load for a minimal cost, and Commissioner Bellmyer suggested multiple homes could get together and save some month that way.
A motion made by Commissioner McSwain to continue the burn ban was seconded by Commissioner Bellmyer, and the motion carried.
Judge Allison Harbison implored the public not to burn and to be careful with things like cigarettes.
The commissioners considered the Sheriff’s and Constables fees, and they are as follows:
Notices:
Subpoenas - $90
Summons - $90
Writ of Attachment - $175
Writ of Garnishment - $175
Writ of Sequestration - $175
Orders of Sale - $175
Forcible Detainer - $90
Service Fees:
Small Claims Citation - $90
Justice Court Citation - $90
All Other Courts’ Citations - $90
Other Service Fees:
Injunctions - $90
Precepts - $90
Protective Order - $80
Distress Warrant - $90
Posting Written Notices - $70
Writ of Execution - $250
Writ of Restitution - $175
Commissioner McSwain moved to approve the fees as they are was seconded by Stevie Smith, Commissioner for Precinct 3, and the motion carried.
The commissioners discussed a new cell check system for the Shelby County Jail. The system they considered was Guard1 which electronically logs officer security rounds, activities, and inmate movement. It is meant to help the jail customize its electronic logs and reporting needs including inmate well-being checks, cell check observations, inmate movement, and activity logging.
The system is also meant to help the jail by way of real time reporting, updates and alerts. The platform is also ment to help generate reports from selected parameters and save commonly run reports.
John Price, Shelby County Attorney, stated the initial cost is projected to be $9,388.96 and the following year the cost will be $4,250.50.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to enter into the contract with Guard1 for upgrading the monitoring system for the jail, Commissioner McSwain seconded the motion and it carried.
The commissioners were presented with election judges for the Republican Party and the Democrat Party and they were Barbara Walton; Carolyn Cochran; Rose Specter; Pam Sanford; Melody Griffin; L.D. Eddins; Darlene Clark; Etola Jones; Dr. Debrah Worsham; Robin Thompson; Renita Hudman; Linda Perry; Marilyn Corder; Shannon Ramsey; Tammy Lemoine; Milton Horton; Alice Fields; Richard Lundie; Janice Swindle; Jacklyn Moton; John Anson; and Debra Hippler.
Commissioner McSwain moved to approve the 2023 election judges and Commissioner Bellmyer seconded his motion, and it carried.
The meeting then went into an executive session at 10:25am.
The meeting returned to open session at 10:58am and there was no action taken on anything discussed in executive session and the meeting was adjourned.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current Payroll. 3. Continue Declaration and Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning. 4. Sheriff and Constable Fees. 5. Purchase of Guard1 as a new cell check system for the County Jail. 6. Election Judges for the County Election Precincts. 7. Adjourn at 10:58am.
