LONG COUNTY, Ga. () — Long County’s money has continued to run short, leading to negotiations to lease the Long County Jail, was told.
The lack of money stems from a misappropriation of county funds, a source close to the jail told .
Long County Manager Chuck Scraggs confirmed that they have entered lease negotiations.
According to sources, News 3 has learned that the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) may have previously inspected the facility and could make a return visit this week. Paperwork was presented, suggesting GDC might be the leasing agent, but Scraggs neither confirmed nor denied GDC’s involvement.
If the jail is leased out, current inmates would have to remain at other jails.
Scraggs said that Long County asked for a tax anticipation note from the bank after realizing the budget had come in short.
Scraggs said the jail would not be able to be funded until after Jan. 1, potentially, depending on help from the bank.
“The issue is that our tax revenue has fallen significantly short,” Scraggs stated. “It is far less than what was expected, forcing us to delay payments. Initially, we sought a tax anticipation note from the bank for approximately $470,000 or $500,000. Upon realizing the tax revenue shortfall, we needed this note to cover payroll and bills.”
Scraggs explained, “So, reopening the jail pushed back the tax anticipation note. Then the bank advised us that we are nearing our limit, as we requested an additional $500,000 to carry us through to October 15th. This is when the state refunds our insurance money, enabling us to proceed into the tax season, primarily in December.”
That’s when our property taxes come in. That means we cannot get a tax anticipation note to open the jail until after January 1st. And then you’re looking at literally a two month time frame to open the jail and then one month without income due to taking inmates in that we won’t be able to hold until 30 days later.
So, you’re looking at April 1st to get money. If negotiations don’t work here, we will look to do something after the first of the year.”
