County OKs funding for corrections program

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
The Morgan County Commission has granted approval for a $50,000 appropriation for the proposed Morgan County Community Corrections and Court Services Program, as long as the commission OKs the job description of the group's executive director.
Commission Chairman John Glasscock said similar programs exist in 34 Alabama counties. They are being used to reduce prison populations by giving judges the option of choosing a means of punishment other than jail time for those found guilty of minor crimes.
Jeffery Williams, director of community corrections for the State Department of Corrections, met with the Corrections Commission Feb. 24 to explain the process of applying for grant assistance.
The commission is also dealing with proposed pay increases for part-time employees.
The commission has discussed increasing the county's rate of pay for part-time employees to $10 per hour but tabled the matter until it can be determined how much impact such a move would have on its budget.
Commissioner Stacy George expressed concern about the county losing part-time workers because of the current level of pay and recommended a flat $10 per hour as a means of solving the problem. He said he believes the county will save money in the long run because part-time employees do not receive benefits.
"I don't have any information about how we will have to amend the budget if we do that," Commissioner Jeff Clark said. "But before I vote for it I want to know how much money we're talking about."
Chairman Glasscock was asked to have department heads submit a list of their part-time employees and give an estimate of how much their budgets will increase if the proposed pay hike is approved.
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