LAW ENFORCEMENT MEETING MINUTES
13 APRIL 2026
Chair Commissioner Matthew Hopkins opened the meeting with Commissioner Roger Reedy offering a prayer and leading the pledge. The minutes of 3 November 2025 were moved for approval by Commissioner Joyce Woodard, seconded by Commissioner Gayle Jones, and were approved unanimously. Commissioner David Wamble was asked if there were any announcements and he informed all of an accident incurred by the County Attorney’s mother. Shortly afterwards the Chair asked if there were any public comments on the agenda, and there were none.
First Agenda Item – Re-bid inmate medical services. The Chair asked Sheriff Joe Purvis to provide information on medical services at the jail. He gave the following information: medical services budget is around $470K and since around 2021 TK health a company that provides patient care in the Giles County correctional facility has the contract. A request for a new contractor will be out for bid on the 25th. Commissioner Roger Reedy asked how are the charges determined with Sheriff Purvis saying it is based on population, e.g., number of sick calls. Sheriff Purvis discussed a future possibility of having a county employee for the position of nurse and also mentioned the larger expense when inmates are “sent out” to hospitals. Sheriff Purvis also discussed the cost of feeding the inmates noting that costs approximately $22K a month.
Next agenda item – Increase fees for Administration of Sex Offender List. The Chair noted there is a Resolution to increase the annual fees to $200 per offender for maintaining the sex offender list, with that cost incurred by the sex offender. He noted there are 46 currently being monitored and they now pay $150 annually, unless indigent. Sheriff Purvis said the increase of $50 will be used to increase public awareness. A motion by Commissioner David Wamble, seconded by Commissioner Rick Carpenter was made and was approved. Commissioner Wamble asked if that was the most that could be charged (yes) with Commissioner Roger Reedy asking how long someone stays on the list. The Sheriff said that is determined by TBI. He said with the $50 there will be a public portal available which with a citizen’s concurrence will provide notifications when an offender moves into their locale.
Next Agenda Item – Cell Door Locks. The Chair said the locks are 16 years old, and there are no spares. When power goes out, all lock; if controller goes out, the locks have to be manually unlocked; and parts may no longer be available due to company’s demise. The Sheriff said he had talked to the county’s IT person who said to replace the controller could cost between $250K – $350K. The Chair noted there are around 100 such locks and this information is for information only since no bids have been requested. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked if there were any other needed equipment and Chief Deputy Woodard said the boiler was being replaced. Questions were raised on exactly how are the cell doors unlocked after a power failure, with the Sheriff saying there about three which have to be cranked to open. The Sheriff clarified some of the discussion saying the locks themselves would not be replaced. Rather the control unit would be changed. The Chair discussed liability of not being able to open the locks in a timely manner.
Next Agenda Item – Sherrif update. The Sheriff mentioned there are currently 133 inmates in a jail which was built to house 126. He noted a few years back the jail was considered in an “over action” status, and given some inmates are currently sleeping on the floor, that could happen again. He discussed flexibility in previous years in that the jail was understaffed but budgeted for full staffing, so that potential excess could be used for other needs, but that is no longer available at this time. He mentioned the relatively new Training Officer positions and since September 2025 55 hours training has been conducted per staff. He also noted that the job is fraught with liability, so it is critical that the officers are trained and are professional. He also said in terms of liability law suits, they are generally from mistakes happening. He gave the background on the two training officers and noted they also still function as deputies. He mentioned the two job responsibilities of animal control and courthouse security being the hardest to place, and there is currently a new officer for animal control. The Sheriff mentioned the body cameras being 2 ½ years old, and which were prepaid. He noted that he recently received new cameras from the company. However, he will require funding for licenses for use with the cameras. Questions (and answers) on housing people outside Giles County (committed crime within the county), reasons for being in jail (mostly drugs or drug related crimes), homeless people picked up (only if do a crime), drug corridor i.e., I-65 (not a high crime areas with I-40 being more of a drug corridor); Recidivism down some; ease of accessing the website (discontinued one website which was doing some duplicative effort; upcoming app may improve that).
Old business – Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about illegal aliens and working with ICE. The Sheriff said he has two employees who have approved credentials by ICE; they can serve as custodian retainers if the arrested person is convicted of others crimes and if are already listed by ICE; can then start the process; ICE shows up but if not within 48 hours they may be released. He said ICE can use contract transport and that helps. He had one turnover last month, and currently has one this month.
New business – Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about animal control with the Sheriff giving some history. He noted he needs two officers in that he gets about 1K calls a year, including from within the city.
Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Gayle Jones, seconded by Commissioner Joyce Woodard, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the committee Chair Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, Other Commissioners Shelly Goolsby, Gail Jones, Matthew Hopkins, Rick Carpenter, David Wamble, Joyce Woodard Other Commissioners in Attendance Erin Curry, Judy Pruett, James Lathrop, Tracy Wilburn, Caleb Savage, Terry Jones, David Adams, Carman Brown, Evan Baddour Other in attendance Sheriff Joe Purvis, Chief Deputy Michael Woodard, EMS Chief Josh Young and members of the public
Law Enforcement a. Re-bid inmate medical Services b. Resolution to increase Fees for Admin Cost c. Cell Door Locks d. Sherrif office updates