Commission to decide on detention officers

At today’s meeting Curry County Commissioners are expected to vote on adding 10 more detention officers to the ranks at the jail.

The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Grady Senior Citizen’s Center.

Recommended by the jail committee and supported by Sheriff Matt Murray, the plan to add the additional officers would help with staffing and security concerns, Murray has said.

In 2008 after the escape of eight inmates, an assessment of the jail needed as many as 33 more personnel to adequately meet the needs of the facility.

Murray and Interim Administrator Kirk Roberts presented the plan for 10 more officers at the county’s May 4 meeting, explaining it would make it possible to create overlapping shifts to help compensate for sick or no-show employees, and would cover security gaps in current staffing plans.

It is estimated the additions would cost the county about $250,000 a year in pay and benefits.

Commissioners are also expected to:

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