Workers repairing part of the Pulaski County jail's roof discovered nearly 8,000 square feet of rotted wood below the asphalt on the roof this summer, prompting the sheriff's office Tuesday to ask the Quorum Court to approve moving more than $100,000 into the detention budget for more repairs.
"It's a wonder nobody fell through," Chief Deputy Mike Lowery said after Tuesday's meeting.
The Quorum Court gave preliminary approval to the use of $140,000 in Act 1188 funds for the repair project, among other sheriff's office expenditures. Justices of the peace voted 10-0 to move the appropriation to the Quorum Court's Sept. 23 agenda for a final vote.
District 2 Justice of the Peace Tyler Denton, D-Little Rock, District 9 Justice of the Peace Wilma Walker, D-College Station, District 10 Justice of the Peace Robert Green, D-McAlmont, District 12 Justice of the Peace Karilyn Brown, R-Sherwood, and District 15 Justice of the Peace Shane Stacks, R-North Little Rock, were absent for the vote. Stacks arrived just after the vote took place.
The county awarded a $36,200 contract in July for replacing the asphalt above two jail units after the Quorum Court approved moving money into the detention budget for repairs in May.
In both cases, the money comes from funds already designated for the sheriff's office. The Quorum Court must approve its use.
Act 1188 levies a $5 fee on people found guilty of misdemeanor and traffic offenses.
In 2014, the Quorum Court has approved the use of thousands of dollars in Act 1188 funds for a new holding cell at the courthouse, five new air-conditioning units at the jail and radios for detention officers. Last November, the county approved spending more than $200,000 on nine cars for the sheriff's office.
The measure before the county this month also includes appropriating $19,000 in federal drug seizure money for five protective suits for meth lab investigators and $18,000 in Commercial Mobile Radio Services money for five portable radios.
District 5 Justice of the Peace Lillie McMullen, D-Little Rock, told Lowery she would like to see money from the sheriff's office used for purchasing beds and better linens at the jail.
Lowery said the department frequently buys new bedding, in addition to other items for inmates, such as a shower flip-flops.
McMullen said she wanted the department to be more transparent about its purchases, listing those items for her to see.
Metro on 09/10/2014