Ankle monitoring working and saving money @ LCC 2013-01-22

An unscheduled report and testimonials by Commissioners said the county's ankle monitoring program is going well and saving money, in this morning's Lowndes County Commission Work Session.

Ankle Monitoring: In another item not on the agenda, the Chairman asked "Mr. Steven Harmon" to give a report (I'm guessing I got the right Steven Harmon in the picture here). Lowndes County apparently saves over one million dollars each year by using an ankle monitoring program, rather than keeping non-violent offenders in the county jail. That program was initially approved by the Commission 13 December 2011, required a budget adjustment 10 January 2012, was funded by the Commission 19 June 2012, and was in the budget approved 26 June 2012.

We the public still don't really know what's in this program, because

none of the documents the Commission has reviewed about it have been made public. Commissioners were very positive about this program, and I hope it is as good as they say it is. I'm certainly for fewer people being locked up, and for saving tax money that way. You'd think with a program they say is this great, Commissioners would want the public to know the details.

Here's the video.

Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange 8:30 AM 22 January 2013.

-jsq

Comments

[Jane Osborn]

I wonder how many of the Commissioners will attend the public hearing Thursday afternoon about the Community Development Block Grant for which they are applying.

Thursday there will be a public hearing on the county's Community Development Block Grant application. There should be information on how the current CDBG funds are being used as well. It will be held at 3:00 PM on January 24 in the Multipurpose Room of the Lowndes County Judicial and Administrative Complex Administrative Wing on Ashley. Citizen input is requested.

[Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange]

Good question. Do you have a link to the public notice about that CDBG? I couldn't find it in the online VDT public notices. -jsq