LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
5 MAY 2025
Chair Commissioner Matthew Hopkins opened the meeting asking for a motion on the minutes of 3 March 2025. The Chair also noted prayer and pledge were offered previously in same day meeting. Commissioner Evan Baddour, and seconded by Commissioner Joyce Woodard, moved that the minutes be approved and, after vote, were approved unanimously. The Chair asked if anyone from the public wanted to make a comment and there were none. Sheriff Joe Purvis gave an overview of the 287 (g) program which allows the Department of Homeland Security to enter into agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies. These agreements delegate specified immigration officer duties, allowing non-federal agencies to perform immigration enforcement functions. Per Sheriff Purvis there are three models in which you choose – (1) a task force apprehending which Sheriff Purvis said his office will not be doing (2) Jail enforcement of aliens known/or not known by country of origin and (3) Giles County chosen model which is a warrant service model. Some immigrants may be jailed on typically a misdemeanor such as DUI, and when comparing fingerprinting with ICE data base, notify ICE and wait for ICE to come. If not removed by ICE within 48 hours the immigrant is released. Sheriff Purvis mentioned the jail population now is 228 and any increase over that number is not desirable. On being asked by Commissioner Gayle Jones on any activity, Sheriff Purvis noted he had booked some Romanians and Hispanics but his staff is not yet trained and the inmate would have to finish their state charges if applicable. He noted Maury County has now processed about 15 – 20 this month, and he could see increases in the near foreseeable for Giles County.
Re the jail budget Sheriff Purvis noted the medical costs show approximately $500K in savings and show food costs going up. He noted he needed 2 new staff, and is paying holiday work differently; i.e., before paying a flat $50, now paying more time and one-half, which could be around $200. The needed staff are for personnel to provide training assistance. A motion by Commissioner David Wamble, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour to approve the courtroom budget was made. Commissioner Shelly Goolsby asked if the budget included the 3% raise across county employees and the Financial Manager (FM) said yes. Sheriff Purvis said the budget also includes step raises. Sheriff Purvis was also asked if the magnetometer for scanning was included in the budget, estimated to cost $i75K. The FM and the County Executive Graham Stowe said the 171 Capital Projects line could be a source for that purchase since is for a one-time purchase. The CE discussed the need for annual budgets to reflect recurring operating expenses, alongside the need to anticipate non-recurring, one-time capital expenses being budgeted from 171. The Chair noted he concurred on only recurring expenses being shown in the operating budget. The above motion was then voted upon and was approved unanimously.
The Sheriff’s Department Budget. The FM noted that the 3% raise and step raises are included. Also, there are some reclassifications of a captain and sergeants. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about the SROs with the FM noting each school has an SRO with Giles Co High and Richland High having 2 SROs. The FM also noting in keeping with state accounting each SRO has an individual code to track all costs. Re patrol cars they are being budgeted as a yearly expense. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked how the fuel costs were budgeted with the FM saying the budget is kept the same as previous year. A motion to approve the Sheriff’s department budget was made by Commissioner David Wamble, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones, and was approved unanimously.
Administration of the Sexual Offender Registry Budget. FM noted this is a revenue producing account. One item law enforcement equipment was mentioned in buying a computer. A motion by Commissioner David Wamble, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones, was made to approve and was approved unanimously.
Jail Budget. Sheriff Purvis noted that the jail is fully staffed; with that they are moving back on overtime; but paying holiday pay differently as noted above. The Sheriff mentioned the Medical and Dental services have increased 4% based on current budget cost. The Maintenance agreements are also over now and an agreement with a budget cap of $9K is included for contracted labor. Boilers were mentioned but as a one-time expense and may be placed in the 171 capital projects line. A motion by Commissioner David Wamble was made to approve the jail budget, and with Commissioner Shelly Goolsby providing the second, the motion was approved unanimously. Commissioner Terry Jones asked if the county would every get to probation again, with Sheriff Purvis noting due to several factors not worth it.
Drug Fund Budget. A motion by Commissioner David Wamble, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones was made to approve and was approved unanimously.
Old Business: Commissioner Gayle Jones to the FM, when will the tax assessor give us his final assessment. The FM said it should be good but not enough to meet what was approved today. She also said she hoped to have a 25-26 budget by the 21st.
A motion by Commissioner Joyce Woodard was made to adjourn and with Commissioner Gayle Jones providing the second the motion was approved.
ATTENDEES: Members of the committee – Chair Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, Commissioners David Wamble, Shelly Goolsby, Joyce Woodard, Gayle Jones, Evan Baddour (for Rose Brown absent), Tim Risner Other Commissioners attending –Judy Pruett, David Adams, Roger Reedy, Tracy Wilburn, James Lathrop, Terry Jones, Caleb Savage, Annelle Guthrie, Matt Rubelsky, Brad Butler Other attending –County Executive Graham Stowe, Sheriff Joseph Purvis, Chief Deputy Michael Woodard, and public
