Saline County Sheriff reports equipment troubles to commissioners

He said the two master control boards at Saline County Justice Facility -- which control the locks on cell doors, the jail intercom and camera systems, among other things -- are not functioning properly after 12 years of constant use. About one-third of the jail cells do not have working intercoms, which makes the prisoners unable to contact personnel in the event of an emergency.

"It's very dangerous," George said. "The prisoner is isolated and cannot talk to a live person."

He said only one company in the entire United States performs the necessary repairs to the master control boards, so the project cannot really be put out for bid. The company, from the state of California, estimates repairs will cost about $4,300.

Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner noted that the requirement for bidding public jobs begins at $6,500 and urged George to arrange for the work to be done as soon as possible.

He said he hoped the technicians could arrive by next Monday, March 22.

In other business, Northern District Commissioner Norvelle "Brownie" Brown reported on CART fund collections for March, which total $50,778.01. That is down from collections in February, $56,182.76, and March 2009, $52,372.18.

But, for the whole of 2010, collections are up by $4,126.18. After the rough winter weather, the funds are certainly needed, Brown said.

"We're going to get some money in to help fix the roads," he said.

Commissioners also approved the employment of Candice Kunkel in a clerical capacity at the prosecuting attorney's office. She will work full-time at a rate of $9 per hour.

The commission's next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, March 23, at 9 a.m. in the lower level of the courthouse.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net