Alpharetta approves jail agreements with Milton and Sandy Springs, council vows close monitoring

Alpharetta’s City Council approved intergovernmental jail services agreements with the cities of Milton and Sandy Springs on June 15, authorizing Alpharetta to house detainees brought in by those agencies under a per‑day billing model and a three‑year term beginning July 1, 2026.

City administrator Mr. Logger Bloom told the council Alpharetta reopened its jail after the county sheriff ceased operating the facility and has been working to offer regional housing to nearby cities. The proposed agreements run through June 30, 2029, include a 90‑day termination clause for either party, and bill in whole‑day increments (no partial‑day credits). Staff said the current staffing model can absorb the additional housing without immediate new hires and that the contracts are expected to bring net revenue toward offsetting an approximately $2.5 million annual operating expense recorded in the FY2027 budget.

Council members pressed for specifics. Staff said current projections estimate Sandy Springs could account for about 15 detainees per day and Milton about three per day; those figures translate to roughly $1.1 million in projected external revenue under the per‑day rates discussed. Alpharetta’s historical daily population was reported as about three to seven detainees, with a midpoint around four.

Several council members expressed concern about committing to a fixed three‑year price. Councilman Hypes and others said they would have preferred a one‑year term with renewals or explicit escalation language so the city is not locked into rates if operating costs rise. Mr. Logger Bloom said staff could return data frequently and that a 90‑day termination clause and the ability to negotiate amendments provide commercial levers if costs change.

Councilmembers also asked for regular reporting on utilization and revenue; staff agreed to provide monthly or quarterly reports (monthly preferred) and to include counts of Alpharetta and partner‑city detainees in routine dashboards.

The motion to approve the Milton agreement was made by Councilman Driscoll and seconded by Councilman Dreo; the motion passed unanimously. The Sandy Springs agreement was approved in a separate vote with the same motion/second and also passed unanimously. Council members said they support the jail’s public safety benefits while acknowledging budgetary trade‑offs and pledged to review operational data over the coming year.

Next steps: the city administrator and public‑safety staff will provide periodic utilization and financial reports to the council and pursue outreach to other North Fulton jurisdictions that have expressed interest in house‑sharing arrangements.