Houston County officials propose $44,017.50 budget amendment to buy jail mats as inmate population rises

Houston County officials at an administrative meeting discussed a proposed $44,017.50 budget amendment to purchase additional sleeping mats and stackable bunks for the county jail after officials reported the facility was holding far more people than its rated capacity.

An agency official said, "So, right now, the jail is rated at 397 rated capacity. Monday, we had 555 inmates in the jail," and explained the funding request would cover mats and bunks "to be able to give them a place to sleep." The chair summarized the request as a "proposed budget amendment amount of $44,017.50" to buy the additional mats.

The request was introduced during the meeting as part of the proposed regular agenda. Officials described the purchase as driven by a continuing rise in the inmate population and the practical need to avoid running out of mats for inmates to sleep on.

In related procedural business, the chair announced a planned proclamation for Small Business Week and said Jessica Steltenpole of the Chamber of Commerce would attend to assist with that recognition. The chair also listed surplus property proposed for sale on GovDeals, including assorted computer equipment, monitors, printers, office desks, filing cabinets, chairs and a 1995 International 4700 garbage truck; those surplus items were placed on the agenda with no objection.

A committee member moved to add recognition for National Correctional Officers Week (May 2026) under awards and presentations. The chair noted a second by "commissioner Harry" as recorded in the transcript, called for debate, and conducted a voice vote; the chair announced the addition would be made as item number 2 under awards and presentations.

The meeting concluded with routine housekeeping: no further items were added for Monday’s agenda and participants noted there would be no meeting Tuesday. There was no recorded formal vote on the jail budget amendment during the segments provided; the amendment was introduced for consideration and placement on the forthcoming agenda.