May 5, 2026 - The Shelby County Commissioners addressed two needs of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department during their meeting held Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Shelby County Sheriff's Department Chief Mike Hanson presented a request to purchase two heated food delivery carts for inmate meals in the county jail to be purchased from Commissary funds.
"This conversation started some time back with the jail administrator. They don't have any way to keep food warm when they're delivering it," said Chief Hanson. "What they run into a lot of times with the staff that we have is, if food delivery is taking place to the cells, if something occurs that may deserve their immediate attention, of course that food is going to be cold by the time it gets there."
Chief Hanson explained that the carts aren't something that is mandated by the state; however, they are held to food safety regulations. He shared that they have researched and looked at several different carts. Some carts carry price tags as high as $10,000, and Chief Hanson explained they weren't looking at anything in that price range.
Chief Hanson said that Tiffany Curry, Jail Administrator, had just recently looked at carts Panola County uses in their jail. He said that it would take two of the carts to accomplish what they would like to and the total cost is $4,150.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to purchase the food carts and Commissioner Shannon Metcalf seconded his motion. It carried with all in favor.
Chief Hanson requested the purchase of materials to construct a restroom/eye wash facility in the existing mechanic shop at the Sheriff’s Department with the materials also being purchased from Commissary funds.
In reviewing the information, County Judge Allison Harbison stated inmates would perform the work, therefore there wouldn't be any labor charge involved.
Chief Hanson described the activities of those inmates that work outside as being heavily engaged in projects at the Sheriff's Department shop, which is located on the backside of the facility's property.
“They don't have any type of facility in the shop up on the hill where they work on our vehicles, and a lot of their time, I'm going to say upwards of 85% of their outside time is spent in that shop, working on our vehicles and different things,” said Chief Hanson. “They don't have any facilities there. I mean, if they need to use the bathroom, they have to go all the way down the hill, go into the building, or if they get solvent or something in their eyes, of course, there's no facility right there that can address that.”
Chief Hanson indicated his belief that the project would be simple and the inmates have a location that is already cleared to work. Chief Hanson also expected the possible need for some excavator work to trench from one building to another to tie in to the sewage system.
Through pricing of materials, Hanson said they project the cost to be less than $2,000.
Commissioner Roscoe McSwain moved to approve the construction of the requested restroom/eye wash facility with the contingency of limiting the expense up to $3,000. Commissioner Bellmyer seconded the motion and it carried with all in favor.
The commissioners heard from Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, on his desire to solicit quotes from the Buy Board for an excavator.
“I'd like to get approval from the court to go out to buy board. I'd like to purchase an excavator somewhat similar to what Precinct 3 has. They're in the 18,000 to 19,000 pound range, 55 horsepower if you would. There's a couple of attachments and I've got a spec sheet for Ms. Ann [Blackwell] that we can go to buy board with, if we can get approval for that I would appreciate it,” said Bellmyer.
Commissioner Bellmyer stated he has the funds to pay for the excavator and he moved to go to the buy board for the excavator. Commissioner Stevie Smith seconded the motion, and it carried with all in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 9:47am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Approve and pay weekly expenses. 2. Public comments on Agenda item. 3. Discuss and possibly approve Pct. 4 Commissioner to solicit quotes from Buy Board for an excavator. 4. Discuss and possibly approve the purchase of two (2) heated food delivery carts for inmate meals to be purchased from Commissary Funds. 5. Discuss and possibly approve the purchase of materials to construct a restroom/eye wash facility in the existing mechanic shop at the Sheriff’s Office. Materials would be purchased from Commissary Funds. 6. Commissioners’ Court Reports: These are for informational purposes only. Any action that needs to be taken on the basis of these reports will be placed on a future agenda for action. 7. Adjourn.
