By David Fenker
david@nmpaper.com
The Wabash County Jail will soon be contracting out what were two positions for its commissary.
Wabash County Sheriff Bob Land reported to the county commissioners at their Monday, Oct. 30, meeting that he hopes to have a contracted position replace one full-time and one-part time position at the jail.
“We are going to basically hire someone to do our commissary. That will save us one full time position out of the commissary, and one part time. [County Attorney Steve Downs] has approved the contract, and I have signed off on it,” Land said.
“Everything’s going to be computerized.”
Land explained that the commissary serves as a grocery store for inmates, allowing them to purchase items such as snacks.
“I’m cutting a full time person and part time person out of commissary. And, if the commissary contract works out, I’ll be bringing back that part time person,” Land said.
“We’ll see how this works out… I use Commissary for equipment, all kinds of things, but we’ll see how it is and we’ll take back that part time if it works out.”
In other news, Land also reported that the jail replaced two windows in the cell block, for a total of $1,400 from the jail’s funds.
He also provided the weekly jail report.
“As of this morning, we have 89 in our facility. We are holding 56 in Miami County, one in Elkhart, and one in Blackford. Last week’s average was 91.28; we had 19 book-ins and six transports, and our peak population was 95,” he said.
“We had a total of 137 in all four facilities as of today; 65 of those awaiting some sort of court disposition.”
Additionally, County Highway Superintendent John Martin asked for approval for a utility permit from NIPSCO to install gas service to 5068 W. 1000 S., and for stone for a bus turnaround for Metropolitan School District of Wabash County at a residence on 300 East.
Martin also requested that the annual bid opening for supplies and equipment rentals for 2018 be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4.
All three requests were approved.