The Warren County Sheriff’s Department is hoping to start a contract with Southern Health Partners that would do away with its in-house medical staff and provide additional services. 

At the County Corrections Partnership Committee meeting Monday night, Sheriff Jackie Matheny Jr. explained the need to bid out medical services. This new service would include nurses, a doctor and mental health. Records would be digitized and they would have access to an in-house x-ray machine. 

This service would initially cost $447,900 and would come from different line items in the Sheriff’s Department budget. The jail is having trouble keeping nurses staffed and this move could alleviate that problem. Matheny says the way he understands it, he would be asked which current nurses he wants to keep employed.  

“A job will actually be offered to them. The head nurse was actually for this,” said Commissioner Steven Helton.

Through this company, someone would be able to fill in the shifts that are open. Currently the department is struggling when someone calls out. 

“We had an incident where a lady had to leave and we had to struggle and get our RN who was out of town to come back and just do med pass and that’s tough on us. To be honest, I don’t know what we would have done if she wasn’t able to come. I don’t know what we would do. I think this is really a no-brainer,” said Matheny. 

Commissioner Randy England pointed out that the department would only potentially be losing the current Cheer Mental Health employee who is counseling inmates. Commissioner Kasey Owens asked if the Sheriff’s Department was under a contract with Cheer Mental Health. 

“I talked to Justin Cotten about that and I don’t really think he had an answer. He is figuring that we can dissolve that, whatever it is, is what he told me,” said Mathney. 

“That is something we need to find out,” said Owens.

“I would think that we could find that out and make sure there is not a contract. I am not aware of one, but I am not saying there is not one,” said Helton.

Owens also mentioned the potential cost increases in this contract. If the inmate population goes above 250, the jail would have to pay $1.25 per inmate.

“How often do you go over 250? I know you have to pay per diem,” asked Owens. 

“Since I’ve been here, one time,” said Matheny.   

“I wonder, like, previously. I just don’t know how often,” said Owens.  

“250 has been our number we have sort of been toying with. I can remember when we first came in, it was over 300. Tommy Myers worked diligently on getting those numbers down and, through COVID, that was sort of the number and courts were backed up. Since Chris Stanford and Ryan J. Moore came in, we are seeing the proof in the pudding here with 219,” said Helton.

“I just worry because it is based on that contract then it says if we go over the 250 we pay per diem, but then if it continues to stay over 250 they would renegotiate the contract. That’s what makes me worry. Renegotiating the contract by how much?” asked Owens. 

“To go the opposite, if our numbers go under 219, and our magic number is 200, and we are locked in at this 250 deal,” said Helton.

“What if six months from now he has a drug sting and hauls 50 people in here?” asked England.

“I think it is just if we start averaging,” said Matheny. “To be honest with you Kasey, I don’t think that is something I can predict.”

“I know. It is just a little worry in the back of my mind. I get that it is the staying at over 250,” said Owens.

“Maybe we let the judges and everyone be aware that we need to maintain this and they can help us. It looks like they are helping us already,” said England.   

Owens also asked how long this contract would last and Matheny said it was a three-year contract. 

“It talks about an annual renewal beyond the initial 12-month contract period that will be based on a four percent value for both years two and three. So there will be a price increase of four percent, so it won’t be $447,900 annually for those three years?” asked Owens.

“No, that is cost of living and stuff like that,” answered Matheny.

Owens also asked if they sign this contract for three years would they be able to get out of it if they realize it is not what they want. Matheny said he would have to research it, but he thinks they would be locked in for three years. 

“OK, so year one the $447,000 and then after that the four percent for the next two years and then we may be able to get out of it after three. Then the other thing is we need to make sure if there is a contract with Cheer Mental Health or not and if there is, what are the repercussions if there was a contract,” said Owens. 

The committee made a motion to send the contract to Budget and Finance Committee for approval with the stipulation of checking on the potential Cheer Mental Health contract.