COFFEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SPECIAL CALLED MEETING

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2011

9:30 O’CLOCK A.M.

COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING ROOM

Coffee County Board of Commissioners met for a special called meeting on Thursday, December 29, 2011, at 9:30 o’clock A. M. with the following present: Chairman Jimmy Kitchens, Commissioners Earl Brice, Frank Jackson, and Tom Rice, County Attorney Tony Rowell, County Administrator Wesley Vickers and County Clerk Jo Ann Metts. Commissioner Deen was absent.

Chairman Kitchens called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.

County Administrator Vickers stated a public hearing was held on the proposed 2012 fiscal year budget. No one appeared at the public hearing. This 2012 proposed budget had been discussed with the department heads and Commissioners and properly advertised in the newspaper. Commissioner Brice made a motion to approve the 2012 fiscal year budget and this was seconded by Commissioner Rice. All Commissioners unanimously agreed.

County Administrator Vickers went over the proposed 2011 budget amendments for the general fund, special district fund, SPLOST III Fund and SPLOST IV Fund. Commissioner Brice made a motion to approve the 2011 budget amendments and this was seconded by Commissioner Rice. All Commissioners unanimously agreed.

County Attorney Rowell stated the contract for medical services for inmates with Southern Health Partners was coming to an end. Sheriff Pope has asked Commissioners to re-evaluate this and sent out requests for proposals. Four responses were received. County Administrator Vickers and Jail Administrator Henderson have gone over these responses and Sheriff Pope has requested that Dr. Steve Anderson be awarded this contract because it has 24/7 physician coverage. Mr. Henderson went over the proposal and stated the 2012 amount was $475,992.00 or a monthly cost of $39,666.00. Dr. Anderson will come on board in January and the Department of Justice will re-visit the jail in March of 2012. Chairman Kitchens asked if this was the ultimate decision of the Sheriff and County Attorney Rowell responded that it was. County Attorney Rowell stated that the contract was technically the Sheriff’s contract but if the Commissioners wanted to approve the contract they could. Commissioner Rice made a motion to ratify the contract with Sheriff Pope and Dr. Steve Anderson and this was seconded by Commissioner Brice. All Commissioners unanimously agreed.

County Attorney Rowell stated there had been an incident with the Sheriff’s Department about ownership of irrigation pipe and two individuals had been detained. There was also an issue of the value of the pipe. These two individuals (Joey Morris and Richard Luke) paid Arlen McKinnon at the request of Detective Danny Fussell an amount that far exceeded the amount actually owed in order to drop all charges filed by Mr. McKinnon. The amount that was reimbursed by the County to Mr. Morris and Mr. Luke was $3,200.00 and now gives the County the right to go to Mr. Arlen McKinnon and tell him that he was overpaid by $3,200.00. Commissioner Brice made a motion to ratify the general release and settlement agreement with Joey Morris and Richard Luke and this was seconded by Commissioner Jackson. All Commissioners unanimously agreed.

Chairman Kitchens announced the next meeting would be held on January 3, 2012, at 9:30 o’clock A.M.

Commissioner Brice made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 o’clock A.M. and this was seconded by Commissioner Jackson. All Commissioners unanimously agreed.