Sheriff's office wins approvals for dental, equipment and body-scanner maintenance; raises staffing/PTO issue

The Scott County Board of Commissioners on April 15 approved several sheriff's office items and heard concerns about staffing and leave policies.

Sheriff Jerry Gooden presented a continuation contract with Mid-America Dental Office for inmate dental visits at $2,800 per visit; commissioners voted to approve the contract and authorized the sheriff to sign pending county attorney review. The board also approved renewal of a maintenance agreement for the jail's body scanner with Command Sourcing at $17,673, with maintenance funds available in the jail budget.

The Austin City Police Department offered surplus vehicle equipment (light bars, sirens, radar and other items) at no cost; commissioners accepted the donation and asked the sheriff to validate serial numbers and document the transfer. Separately, the board approved a memo of understanding and prior authorization for the county to acquire radios (some units are to be sold to Vianna town), with serial numbers listed, and approved purchase arrangements by voice vote.

Sheriff Gooden also raised a personnel policy concern: corrections staff are mandatory-essential employees who sometimes accrue large PTO balances that are later reduced under county rules; he requested the board consider parity with an EMS policy that allows controlled carryover/payouts to avoid penalizing essential staff.

Commissioners asked staff to review the jail PTO concern with county HR and counsel; no final change was made at the meeting.