Alachua County Commissioners are expected to decide today to hire a police-consulting firm to help them out with a budget fight between the county and Sheriff Sadie Darnell that will eventually lead to Tallahassee court. They will vote on a motion during their afternoon meeting.
County Attorney Dave Wagner said the appeal could go to Tallahassee soon and without much warning, so the Commission should prepare now. He also said it would be a good idea for a few Commissioners to be present during the appeal.
Commissioners also want to schedule a meeting with a prison company, Corrections Corporation of America, to explore ways to run the jail if they determine that the sheriff is not up to the job.
Even though the Commissioners and Darnell disagree about the budget, the Commission thought it would be best to keep her in charge of the jail.
"I don't think anyone is questioning the ability of the sheriff," said Commissioner Rodney Long.
Most Commissioners thought a good second option would be for the Commission to take control of the jail.
"I emphatically do not want to be running the jail," said Chair Lee Pinkoson.
A last option is to give the jail to a private company, like Corrections Corporation of America, but none of the Commissioners really liked that idea. However, they said it would still be a good idea to listen to what a private company could offer.
For more on this topic, please see the article in Wednesday's Independent Florida Alligator.
