By BECKY CRISSMAN
VIENNA — Dooly County employees will not have to worry about furlough days, at least not just yet.
During a board meeting this past Thursday, county governors unanimously agreed not to furlough employees as long as the departments remain within their budgets and revenues come in as they are supposed to.
The board did leave the issue open for reconsideration, but only if circumstances force them to do so.
Dominic Turner, jail administrator for the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office addressed the commission on the food service issues at the jail. The state has been interested in providing food service for county jail inmates and is submitting a proposal to do so.
If the state does take over the food service contract, then the meals will be prepared at Dooly State Prison in Unadilla. Turner expressed concerns about the transportation of the food.
“There are a few questions that arise,” he said. “For one, will the transported food be sent to the jail in bulk to be distributed on trays or will each plate be prepared separately?
“This brings about the issue of having enough food prepared. Will it meet our needs? We average between 150-180 inmates and sometimes obtain last minute inmates that will need to be fed.”
Turner said one of the more pressing issues would be the quality of the food after transport. He expressed concerns about the food being cold. He also mentioned those inmates with special circumstances, such as diabetics, allergy sufferers, and those that cannot eat certain foods for religious purposes.
“We try to keep things planned ahead,” Turner added. “If there is one thing that can keep a jail intact and without conflict, it is the inmates being properly fed.
“If a man if full, he is comfortable but if he is not, aggression can kick in and cause problems.”
The commission has not yet reached a decision on the issue but assured Turner that he and the DCSO would be kept informed and included in the decision making.
Also during the meeting, Commissioners unanimously voted to appoint Jimmy Towns to the position of assistant public works director.
On the Recreation Board the term of Kathi Beavers expires Dec. 31, 2009. She has said that she does not wish to serve another term, so Michael Daniels was approved to that position after Commissioner David Barron made the recommendation.
The next meeting of the Dooly County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Dooly County Economic Development Training Center.
