Sheriff requests equipment, radios and new monitoring devices; council approves transfers and advertising

The Greene County Council on Wednesday approved multiple budget transfers for the sheriff’s office, authorized advertising for a purchase of inmate-monitoring technology and approved a commissary-funded purchase for staff gym equipment.

County staff explained a $6,383 transfer was needed to cover four mobile digital radios for new patrol vehicles as older 800-MHz equipment is phased out. The council approved that transfer by motion and voice vote.

The sheriff also requested up to $12,000 from the jail commissary fund to buy gym equipment intended for staff use. The presenter said the equipment would be for employees (not detainees) and that a corporate donor might offset part of the cost. The council approved advertising and authorization to proceed up to the requested amount.

On inmate safety technology, the sheriff described new radar-based sensors that detect movement and respiration and recommended installing units in four padded or isolation cells to monitor inmates at high risk of medical distress or self-harm. The sheriff said the device monitors respiration and movement and may reduce the need for continuous in-person 15-minute checks. Council members discussed annual service costs (noted at about $4,000) and insurance considerations. The council voted to advertise a $22,000 appropriation for the equipment so the item can receive public notice and be scheduled for a future final vote.

The nut graf: the council handled a mix of operational transfers and granted permission to advertise two separate sheriff requests — one for employee gym equipment funded from commissary money and one for life-safety monitoring devices for the jail; advertising permits public notice but does not commit county funds.