Photo: Aerial view of the Baxter County Detention Center shows work underway on the expansion. A live feed of the project is available online at baxtercountysheriff.com/jailexpansion.
In early June, Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery had a checklist as he prepared to secure funding for additional staffing with the clock ticking toward the projected opening of the expansion of the county jail.
Personnel committee, check. Budget committee, check. Full quorum court, check.
The final check came Tuesday evening when the quorum court, with member Kevin Litty absent, gave its full support to an ordinance funding six new positions. The six will bring staffing at the jail to current level needs.
Sheriff Montgomery told the justices, as he did KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot news in early June, he may have to return for additional personnel.
Listen:
Montgomery told the quorum court the Criminal Detention Facilities Review Committee made an unscheduled visit to the Baxter County jail Tuesday. He said the members again noted the need for additional staffing to meet current needs. However, they were also aware the court would be considering an ordinance Tuesday evening to address this need.
In early June, Montgomery also explained the timing as he prepared to begin working his checklist to secure the six new hires by Aug. 1.
Listen:
In other business, the court gave its unanimous approval to an ordinance adding expenses for items due to the six new positions. Those expenses include a new transport van to handle anticipated increased workload needs.
Also approved were two resolutions authorizing Baxter County Judge Mickey Pendergrass to apply for grant funding on behalf of the Clarkridge and Lone Rock fire protection districts.
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