Use of inmate labor to be revisited

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June 29, 2010

Jamie Jones jamiejones@daltoncitizen.com

Though using state prison labor may look like a good deal, some members of the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners wonder if the work details are worth the expense.

Commissioners on Monday approved 3-1 the county’s annual contract with the Georgia Department of Corrections for inmate labor. Four crews will cost the county $158,000. Each crew can have up to 10 workers. Commissioner Greg Jones voted against the contract, while Chairman Mike Babb only votes to break ties.

Commissioners will revisit whether inmate labor is cost effective. They can cancel or amend the contract, which begins July 1, at any point by giving seven day’s notice. One crew is used for maintenance and light construction, one is used for trash pickup and mowing, while the other two crews are on concrete detail.

Jones suggested only paying for one crew. The concrete work can be bid out cheaper than the inmate labor costs, Commissioner Harold Brooker said. He’s also concerned about the work schedule of the crews because they show up at odd times or sometimes not at all.

Commissioners Mike Cowan and Randy Waskul believe inmate labor is cost effective, referencing a county cost-benefit study several years ago.

“I think four crews is a bargain,” Waskul said.

Public Works Director Alex Barber said he has “mixed feelings” about use of the inmate crews.

Commissioners voted 4-0 to:

• Increase the county’s hotel/motel tax 1 percent, which mirrored a move by the Dalton City Council earlier this month. A bill passed earlier this year raises Whitfield County’s hotel/motel tax to 7 percent from 6 percent, with the additional funding directed towards the Dalton Convention and Visitors Bureau. The extra 1 percent will increase the CVB’s annual budget of just under $400,000 by between $75,000 to $90,000.

• Approve the county’s general insurance coverage with Association County Commissioners of Georgia-IRMA for $392,478. The insurance covers automobile, crime, equipment, law enforcement, liability, property and public officials.

• Approve a $49,494 bid from Prosys for Cisco network hardware maintenance.

• Appoint Dalton Police Department Detective John Helton to the Whitfield County Department of Family and Children Services board to complete an unexpired term. The term ends June 30, 2014. Helton replaces Barry Woods, whose recent promotion from detective to sergeant could pose a conflict with serving on the board, according to DFACS Director Lamar Long.

• Reappoint Amee Combs to the Whitfield County Board of Assessors for a six-year term.

Commissioners also met in closed session to discuss real estate acquisition.