06-16-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-June 16, 2008 3367 7. JAIL COMMISSARY CONTRACT AND PROGRAM, Approved termination of vendina lease aareement Sheriff Paul D. Laney was present to discuss the commissary program at the Cass County Jail. He and Lt. Colonel Glenn Ellingsberg attended an American Jail Association conference in California a few months ago and spoke with other agencies regarding their commissary programs. Their department has since completed an analysis and he feels the Sheriff's Office is capable of managing the program. The county has a contract with Pepsi America, a local vending company, and currently subsidizes Pepsi America. County staff does much of the work involved with commissary and a large percentage of revenues go back to the vendor. Sheriff Laney believes his department is capable of running the program efficiently and effectively to draw additional revenue for the county. He said if the county continues to contract with Pepsi America, they are unable to meet the percentage goals of the county unless product prices are increased above market value, which the sheriff does not support. Sheriff Laney explained the current system used for commissary. He said county staff take inmate funds and convert the funds to vendor cards which inmates then use to purchase products from vending machines. Sheriff Laney said if the county takes over the commissary program, he anticipates doubling the revenues. He would plan to utilize inmate labor to take orders and deliver products to inmates. The commissary program funds itself and pays the salaries for the commissary clerk and classification officer. Sheriff Laney is requesting to utilize the exit clause within the current contract and if approved, anticipates taking over the commissary program in October. State's Attorney Birch Burdick said according to the contract, either party may terminate the contract upon not less than 90 days written notice. Mr. Wagner is concerned about additional staff requests in the future. Sheriff Laney is unsure what the need will be until their department manages the program for a time. Mr. Pawluk asked how the program will be audited. Mr. Ellingsberg said the jail will continue to use the commissary software and said all products are scanned. He said as a safeguard, a receipt will need to be signed by inmates after receiving their products. MOTION, passed Mrs. Sorum moved and Mr. Bennett seconded to approve the termination of the vending machine lease agreement with Pepsi America (formerly F-M Vending), our current vendor, effective September 30, 2008. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 8. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, Justice Assistance Grant public comment: inter-local aareement with City of Farao Sheriff Laney discussed the 2008 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in the amount of $31 ,353. He said over the last few years, grant funds have been substantially cut by the Federal government. This is a partnership grant between Cass County and the City of Fargo to share the funds and both entities must come to an agreement on how the money will be divided. He said last year the county received $14,000 to purchase a drug canine and for maintenance and training of the dog. This year, the county is requesting $5,000 to cover related expenses for the canine, including part of the salary for the drug canine officer and other equipment needs.