Jasper County council authorizes detention, medical and magistrate-security contracts; approves magistrate pay adjustments

Jasper County — The Jasper County Council approved a set of vendor contracts and formalized magistrate pay changes in the same session that adopted the FY27 budget.

Procurement staff member Kimberly presented resolution 2026-47, which asked council to authorize three annual contracts effective July 1: Noble Shields to provide armed security at the magistrate office ($89,300); Southern Health Partners to provide medical services for the detention center ($365,100); and Summit Food Service to supply food-service operations at the detention center ($420,000). "There are three: Noble Shields at $89,300, Southern Health Partners at $365,100 and Summit Food Service at $420,000," Kimberly said. The council approved the resolution unanimously and authorized the county administrator to execute the contracts so Mr. Awani may sign them.

Earlier in the meeting, after returning from executive session, council approved a motion to adjust magistrate pay consistent with state law. The motion — which the minutes record as passing unanimously — specified that magistrates Jacqueline Lee, Warren Johnson, Kathy Badget, Rhonda Edwards and Anthony (surname unclear in the transcript) shall be paid 100% of the county’s lowest salary rate as provided in S.C. Code §22-8-40; Magistrate Jennifer Carter was noted as eligible for the same pay upon completion of her fourth year on July 1, 2026.

The resolution included budget line-item references for each contract. Staff said the larger detention contracts are budgeted and will be charged to the detention center’s operating accounts; procurement will circulate executed contract copies and confirm start dates after the administrator signs.

Council recorded unanimous approval for resolution 2026-47. The meeting minutes do not include a roll-call vote with individual member positions for the contracts or the magistrate-pay motion; both were recorded in the meeting as carried by voice vote.

The contracts will go into effect July 1 and procurement and county administration will provide executed copies and funding confirmations to the council.