Ogemaw County Jail to become 72-hour detention center, Sheriff's Department

By Douglas P. Marsh
[email protected]

Following a final proposal by the Ogemaw County Sheriff's Office on Aug. 13 to increase inmate numbers and revenue, the Ogemaw County Board of Commissioners decided to pursue an agreement with Roscommon County to provide permanent housing for Ogemaw County inmates. The Ogemaw County Jail would be converted to a 72-hour detention facility and the Sheriff's Department would move out of the older building across the street.

Sheriff Brian Gilbert had proposed adding up to 40 more inmates from Grand Traverse County at the board's Aug. 8 meeting. Undersheriff Paul Frechette said a conference call was held sometime before the Aug. 13 meeting, which included County Administrator/Controller Tim Dolehanty and members of the Sheriff's Department and County Commission.

“It was a good conversation,” Dolehanty said. “My first question was whether this is a long-term agreement. The answer is simply no. They're probably looking at three to four months.”

Dolehanty said the agreement will generate about $60,000 in revenue by year's end, with less certainty beyond that. Frechette estimated the agreement would generate $145,600 in gross revenue for the district. Board Chair Jenny David said she is concerned about the staffing situation at the jail.

“Two weeks ago, we could barely do what we had,” David said. “So my concern is hiring another 40 people while we're still operating right now. What's our plan for 90 days with our staffing levels without doing a ton of overtime?”

“He's done a damn good job of filling in gaps and everything, but we're having a tough time,” Frechette said. “We're going to do the best we can. That would be additional revenue in hopes of creating a long-term plan that keeps the prison open and solves the problem.”

Frechette acknowledged that staffing levels are at a minimum and that the situation remains as described at the Board of Supervisors' Aug. 1 meeting, where Gilbert stated that the loss of another county corrections employee would likely result in an emergency transfer of inmates from the Ogemaw County Jail.

“All I know is that we asked them to do it and they did it,” said Commissioner Roger Mayhew. “I know that doesn't sound great, but I don't think we have much choice. Give them a chance. What do we have to lose?”

The discussion shifted to the county's transportation operations before returning to the jail, where commissioners were this time asked to consider the possibility of a tax proposal. Dolehanty told the panel they had about a half hour to make a decision and reviewed options, including projections for different tax rates and staffing levels, a projection of status quo operations in the event of a failed tax proposal, and some new details on a potential agreement with Roscommon County to take inmates from Ogemaw County.

David invited Frechette back to the table and asked him what tax rate he was proposing. Frechette suggested a tax of one per thousand, and Mayhew and Commissioner Brenda Simmons agreed to the amount, with Simmons hesitant about the proposal itself and the impact it would have on the day-to-day operations of the prison.

“I don’t think we can afford to take that risk,” she said.

“Is this an ultimatum?” asked Commissioner Craig Scott. “If voters vote against it, are we going to go a different route or not? If we want to keep it open and it costs $2.3 million, we have to go somewhere else in the district. Are we just going to cut one person from each office?”

“I don't know if we're at a point now where we can make that decision,” David said. “We're talking about a tax.”

“Oh yeah, we're at that point right now,” Scott said. “Medical care cost us $180,000 this year. Now it's expected to be $191. We'll save $150,000.”

Dolehanty had said the agreement with Roscommon County would include $40,000 for inmates' medical expenses. David asked Scott to keep his voice down.

Commissioner Charles Wiltse said he needs a longer-term commitment from Grand Traverse County to support a millage proposal and continue housing inmates in perpetuity. Simmons echoed Scott and Wiltse's arguments, saying the risks and costs are too high for her to support a millage proposal.

“We're at the end of the timer here. I don't want this to just become a lock down. I think if that happens, the chance of this ever changing is minimal. This affects a lot of residents in this community,” David said. “I wanted to hear the public's opinion. So my vote was for the $1 mill tax increase. But I think we have 3 no and 2 yes votes, so that's the state of things.”