Madison Co. commissioners discuss nearly $20M proposed sheriff’s office budget

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — County commissioners crunched numbers at a Friday budget meeting.

“We’re just trying to make sure we got all of our questions answered,” Budget Committee Chair Doug Stephenson said.

Topics on the table include future repairs to kennels at rabies control, an increase in funding for solid waste and the nearly $20 million budget request from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

One of the larger line items includes maintenance to the courthouse and the criminal justice complex.

According to Buddy Gresham, the budget manager for the sheriff’s office, the A, B and C pods at the CJC all are in need of new locks.

“That’s just to replace 20-year-old locks, and each lock costs $1,000 if you buy it new, but we’re replacing components within those locks,” he said.

The current proposal also includes the addition of three new deputy positions.

But Gresham brings up an interesting point — the sheriff’s department is struggling to compete with other agencies for local recruits.

“I’m having a hard time competing locally even because there are other incentives we can’t give,” Gresham said.

It’s something Stephenson says should be taken into consideration when looking at possible changes to future employee benefits. “We need to look at changing our retirement,” he said.

Stephenson said he would like to keep the increase at five percent or lower for the next fiscal year for the entire general fund.

The committee will meet again Monday to discuss the budget proposed by the Jackson-Madison County School System.