LAW ENFORCEMENT/SAFETY MEETING MINUTES
5 OCTOBER 2026
Chair Commissioner Gayle Jones opened the meeting asking Commissioner Rickie Carpenter to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. The Chair then noted she had two amendments for the agenda, those being Courthouse Security and Animal Control Measures, and asked if there were any further items for discussion. Commissioner Mike Cesarini asked for an Update on previously approved controller/locks for the jailhouse doors, and any upcoming major expenses, and Commissioner Rickie Carpenter asked for an update on the previous approved HVAC equipment. The Chair then asked for the amended agenda to be approved, and by voice vote was approved. The Chair then asked for approval of the 7 July 2026 minutes and by motion of Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner James Gentry, the minutes were approved unanimously.
Transfer of funds within the Sheriff’s Department budget line items – Chair requested any public comments (none) and then asked Sheriff Joe Purvis to discuss. The Sheriff noted that the previously approved (BY 2024) Flock cameras have not been deployed at this time. He discussed the usefulness of such cameras, describing them as comparable to DNA data, but he also noted the controversy surrounding such devices, i.e., tracking where people drive and selling that data (usually in aggregate form). Transfer of the available funding from that effort will be to provide hardware for the use of the drug dog (Bessy) in a patrol car. While funding is available within his budget, he noted he is providing the information to the committee for transparency only (does not require a motion, or forwarding to the full commission). Commissioner Thomas Price commented on the use of cameras outside, and after the Sheriff commenting on those locations, he also noted the Flock cameras are a nationwide concern. He noted the Flock cameras represent only 8% of data collection with private businesses providing the balance of filmed activity available to his office. The Sheriff also noted that Bessy can be used at the schools too, which could save on schools’ cost as well.
History with inmate overpopulation – Sheriff Purvis said his goal is 85% of available capacity, so as to allow movement among the cells and noted the jail is certified for 136 inmates. The previous week capacity was at 126%, and the current week closer to 106%. A big reason he said is the holding of pretrial felon detainees, showing one example who has been in the jail for 1144 days, and he has 41 pretrial felons currently waiting for their trials. Cost for those felons, who are likely to get a state imprisonment, are incurred daily and with circuit court meeting only once a month situations such as a deal, or a major medical emergency, can happen as well. Revenue housing for state inmates shows $746K which covers the large costs of $300K – 400K for medical, as well as food and other miscellaneous costs. To house a state inmate $41 a day is provided by state and the state covers their medical. Sheriff Purvis discussed the Bureau of Prisons classifications by Tiers, noting a Tier 2 status would provide $47 a day with Jul – Aug increasing the revenue by $35K. The Sheriff noted however there is increased cost such as additional reporting and would require a full-time compliance officer. Another area the Sheriff discussed was the medical bills outside of the inhouse treatment with his goal of reaching at least 195% of the Medicare rate through Heritage Healthcare who provides Medicare negotiations for a $15 per inmate charge. The Sheriff said he had discussed a bill for the state to put a cap on medical cost but that is at least a 3-year approach. Re a question on inmate’s own insurance with Jail Administrator Ms. Teresa Maddox, saying most private insurance ceases while the inmate is in jail. Commissioner Judy Pruett asked if some of the inmates couldn’t be transferred to their home county, with Sheriff Purvis saying if crime committed here, they are jailed here. Sheriff discussed the food costs, noting it costs $2.683 per meal, and he discussed the work release program which he terms a success. So far with three people in the program at this time housing, transportation, fines, child support, and drug fee revenue has recovered more than $17K, and the company wants more workers. Three have been released from jail and two are still working there. Sheriff Purvis mentioned a three-person committee who interviews applicants for the work release program and one of committee members had previous jail experience and understands what is needed to avoid returning to jail. The Sheriff mentioned the court settlement on probation which has reduced the county’s revenue and Commissioner Thomas Price commented on those that can’t pay the bonds are typically low-level crime detainees and often time served is the decision to release. Commissioner Mike Cesarini asked if the county can refuse to house the state inmates, with the Sheriff saying if they behave, it is not a bad thing since some costs are fixed and that helps to spread that cost. The Sheriff mentioned the Lawrenceburg situation which typically has 80 beds open. The Chair asked if there were any public comments and there were none.
ESD (emotional support dog) Policy and results. Sheriff Purvis said he has one at Giles County High and one and Minor Hill High. A survey taken at those schools show strong support for the program. The dogs go through a 13-week program, Paws & Stripes, and the inmates train the dog(s). Sheriff Purvis said this is a lot of work for the handlers, a big ask, since it is a 24-7 responsibility.
Drug dog – skipped since discussed previously.
Courthouse Security – The Chair asked about meeting minimum standards with Sheriff Purvis emphasizing the mandate is court “room” security, but it is easier to do the whole courthouse. He mentioned the areas already in place, e.g., bullet resistant panels, panic buttons, security wands, mirrors. He also mentioned what is missing, such as signage. Commissioner Rickie Carpenter asked if Reserve Officers could be used, with the Sheriff saying if trained, and that most Reserve Officers also have other full-time jobs making scheduling more difficult. The Chair asked County Executive (CE) Knox Vanderpool about status on the locks with him saying discussions with the GP on the 21st would be his first real meeting, and he should have something after that. The Chair asked Sheriff Purvis if staff is in place to provide security for two entrances and the basement. The Sheriff discussed marshals coming in for assessment and said per their assessment there are 8 – 12 personnel needed to secure and since 2006 the county has had ½ that. He is now using overtime for that security. He also noted there are only four officers to patrol all of the 612 miles of county roads, and he uses the same number four for the courthouse security. Commissioner Hopkins suggested cameras might work for the basement to alert the officers that someone is there but Sheriff Purvis said that would mean someone coming down, and would leave the entrance unguarded. Commissioner Rickie Carpenter asked for all 3 courts how many times a month are all 3 in session with the Sheriff saying a couple of times a month. Commissioner Thomas Price asked if you can use private security, and the Sheriff answered yes. Chief Deputy Michael Woodard mentioned there is considerable price differential for private vs county with Commissioner Lynn Asbury also saying they may not be certified. The Chair asked if any public comments (no).
Animal Control – Sheriff Purvis said this is not a good idea for his staff since the shelter is always at capacity, and that he had received 800 calls himself. He said the problem is “not having responsible dog owners”. He noted all his officers have to be trained in animal behavior. Public comment (none).
Jail Controllers – Commissioner Matthew Hopkins said the biggest part of the contract has been completed and now switching the hardware out and doing the touch screens needs to happen. Sheriff Purvis said the job is 80% done, and Chief Deputy Michael Woodard said he expects that to be completed by the end of November.
HVAC – While the preliminary quotes were well received, only two actual bids were placed with the $94.9K bid being awarded.
Sheriff gave some overall statistics, e.g. 2633 calls for service through 911 since July, with usually around 10K annually. He currently has 64.8% cleared cases, and he has initiated a fee study through CTAS for come comparisons with other counties. He noted his department represents 70% liability for the county. The Chair asked about training with the Sheriff saying he now has one for the jail and one for enforcement training so compliance in hand. The chair asked for public comments and here were none.
Unfinished business – Sheriff Purvis discussed the 5-year expiration in budget years 28/29 for the tasers and Flock cameras. He said some of the tasers will have to be replaced, as well as a data storage cost and user lease. He did note that the biggest county in the state does not have tasers, but he said if you take away my non-lethal force capability, that only leaves lethal force such as guns. Commissioner Matthew Hopkins asked how long you have to retain the data storage, with the Sheriff saying all for 30 days, one year for misdemeanors, 5 years for felons. He noted he gets a list of items that fall out of the data base. Commissioner Hopkins asked if you hand off to the DA it should be his responsibility for the data storage, as a cost savings help. Commissioner Steve Woods asked about the calls, how many are for violent interactions, with Sheriff Purvis saying about 17 domestic violence calls a month and of the total calls about 30% are where force is needed. Commissioner Woods also asked about Federal immigration officer interaction with Sheriff Purvis saying only 1 since July and that was a detainee transfer action. He said his role is warrant service model, and signs as detainee, so ICE can do a private vendor transfer. Commissioner Mike Cesarini asked for a future update on towers, with both the EMS and the Property committees called out as possible action. Sheriff Joe Purvis offered all a tour of the jail if they were so inclined.
Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Mike Cesarini, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Committee Chair Commissioner Gayle Jones, other commissioners Lynn Albury, Brandon Beard, Thomas Price, Matthew Hopkins, James Gentry Mike Cesarini Other commissioners in attendance – Rickie Carpenter, Judy Pruett, Richard Kemp, Tommy Pollard, Jan Beecham, Steve Woods Others in attendance – County Executive Knox Vanderpool, Sheriff Joe Purvis, Officer Woodard, Teresa Maddox, Jerry Mitchell