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No decision yet on medical services for Clarke County Jail The Clarke County Commission voted Tuesday to table consideration of a contract for medical services at the Clarke County Jail until more study could be done. The commission approved Jan. 21 beginning the process for a contract with Southern Health Partners go for outside care (such as trips to the hospital or dentist). If outside care goes over $30,000-a-year, the county would have to pay for the overage. There is an initial 90-day period where both parties can terminate the contract. SHP will provide nurses and doctors on site at the jail and will pay for transporting inmates offsite for medical reasons. The SHP contract received the blessing this week of County Attorney Bruce Wilson. "It basically sets out what they set out in their proposal," he said. "…I also conferred with staff in another county where they are presently operating. This contract is consistent with (that county's) contract….I was assured there had been no problems…. It had been as represented." However, the commissioners heard Monday from Dr. Huey Kidd of Thomasville, and Doug Sewell, administrator with the Grove Hill Memorial Hospital. Kidd has practiced in Thomasville for the last eight years and has taken care of inmates from the county jail in as many years. Inmates were transported to his office. Kidd said he wanted to keep the business. He offered a draft of a proposal where care will be overseen in the jail. Nursing personnel will be at the jail site 40 hours-a-week. There will be weekly visits by Kidd, a nurse practitioner or a physician's assistant, he said. In addition, Serria Reed, administrator of the Southwest Alabama Medical Center in Thomasville, is seeking a contractual relationship with the county. The facility wants to help Dr. Kidd provide the services in anyway possible, she told the commissioners. "We have to look for ways to save money," Commissioner Paul Bradford said about the SHP proposal. "This all about trying to save money. We've got a very poor budget this year. There's a lot of pressure to save as much money as we can. "…If we've got local people that can provide these same services at or below (the SHP proposal), we need to look at local people first." According to Commissioner Elma Averett, the county has had an agreement with the Grove Hill hospital for at least three years offering a 60 percent discount for medical services. "I don't think we have been taking advantage of that agreement," he said. "…We say we want to save money, but we haven't been taking advantage of it." "I have noticed a good deal more use of it within the last few months than the previous three years," DuBose said. The Grove Hill hospital did not have a specific proposal, Sewell said. Approximately 67 inmates were treated at the hospital last year either through the emergency room or inpatient services, at a cost of almost $60,000. There is a letter of understanding regarding the 60 percent discount on charges. "We're not making a huge profit on the services we are providing," Sewell said. The Grove Hill facility also offers discounted services to the Life Tech program. In addition, Sewell was surprised that SHP would be able to offer medical services at such a low cost. "I know we are the closest facility to the jail," he said. "There are going to be emergency situations that come up….We're here to supplement anything that you do." The county also spoke to the Jackson Medical Center for jail services, said County Administrator Annie Deloise Morris. Jackson could not provide services as cheaply as SHP, she said. In other business: •The commission approved the only bid offered to purchase a new commercial washing machine for the county jail. The bid from Commercial and Coin Equipment Laundry Company of Gulf Breeze, Fla. was $9,274. •The levying of county ad valorem taxes was approved. The total 33 mils includes 6.5 (state), 11.0 (county) and 15.5 (school). •Clarke County Sheriff Bobby Moore was approved to fill a deputy vacancy. •The county will pay $395 for a half page ad in the progress addition of The South Alabamian newspaper in Jackson. •The commission approved beginning a process of providing a new polling place in the Walker Springs community. The Overstreet Grocery store can no longer be used for a polling place, said Commissioner Rhondel Rhone. •The county territories for the two ambulances services have been decided and is to go into effect at 12:01 a.m., Feb. 13. Coffeeville, Jackson and Grove Hill will be in Jets territory, DuBose said, and Fulton and Thomasville will be in under LifeLine. However, "the patient's interest will always be honored," she said. The map for the dividing lines is located in the E-911 office.
•The Clarke County Courthouse will be closed on President's Day, Feb. 18.
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