Nash County cuts off funds to sheriff's office amid jail spat

By Monday, 130 inmates were bused from Nashville to county jails across eastern North Carolina.

County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robbie Davis said the county has done its part to maintain the aging jail, noting that it had passed previous inspections, and problems there are largely the fault of Sheriff Keith Stone.

"In our opinion, we have a real culture problem in the detention center with our employees at this time. It may be the worst that I’ve experienced in my 50 years in business," Davis said.

But Stone said he has asked for more county funds to upgrade the jail since he took office five years ago. On Monday, he pointed to rusted bars, leaking pumps, blocked drains and peeling paint.

"I have had numerous meetings with the county manager and chairman of the county commissioners to get these concerns resolved and will continue to work with them to bring closure to the issues," Stone said.

County finance officials sent a memo to Stone at the request of commissioners on Monday, stating that all purchases by the sheriff's office must now be approved by County Manager Zee Lamb and Finance Director Donna Wood and that any non-essential spending will be rejected.

All procurement cards carried by Stone's staff have been canceled, and all purchase orders not associated with approved contracts have been closed, according to the memo.

"Effective for purchases beginning today until further notice – Any item purchased without previous approval from the County Manager and Finance Director will not be paid by the County," the memo states.

Davis told WRAL News on Tuesday that the move wasn't a negative reflection on the sheriff's office and was merely a way to tighten the county's spending so more money could be directed toward inmate care.

The jail problems make it hard to attract and retain employees, Stone said.

Chief Deputy Brandon Medina said as many as 19 detention officers would need to be hired to meet the staffing recommendations in the state inspection. Seven applicants are now going through the hiring process, he said.

Housing inmates at other jails will cost Nash County an estimated $11,000 a day.