OFFICE OF TI{E SI{ERIF.

F
CHATHANI COf;NTY. GEORGIA
SHERIFF JOHN T, WILCHER
ChiefDeputy
Commander
Williom "Billy" R. Freemon
Brion M. Counihon, SL

Enfo rce me nt Ad m in istroti on

loil Administrotion

Major Lawrence D. Wtight

Mojorfhomos M. fillmon
Moior Toffey V. Mockey

Odober !7,2OI7

Chairman Al Scott
Chatham County Commission

RE: Emergency Contract

Chairman Scott:

Thank you for speaking with me earlier today. I was under the impression as of october
6,
2017 Commission Meeting that the signing of the CorrectHealth contract would be completed
f ater that day. on Friday, october
13, 2oL7 Lee smith met with my command staff and myself
ostensibly to seek my input in the contract negotiations with CorrectHeahh. He stated that in
case no agreement could be reached with Correct Health, he had a contingency plan
with
Centurion which would save the county 2 million dollars a year if negotiations fell through with
correctHealth. I naturally told Mr. smith, I would cooperate with the county and would
certainly agree to any proposal that would save the taxpayers money as long as the level of
care
would not be compromised. I reiterated to Mr. smith my satisfaction with the current
healthcare provider. lmagine my surprise when a few hours later, I received notification of
the
firing of CorrectHealth. I have not interfered in any of the issues that have taken place during
the negotiations and have stayed out of it simply to allow for the county as the client to oo
what they do best. As the Sheriff of Chatham County, my responsibility is to preserve the safety
and safe keeping ofthe inmates under my control, not negotiate contracts.

I have communicated to the county staff my satisfaction with correctHealth. I stand by that
statement. I feel correctHealth has worked well with staff and have made progress in the care
of the inmates as is evidenced by the recent accreditation and report by the Medicat
Association of Georgia.

Enforcement Bureou
Detention Center
P.O- Box 70026, Sovannoh Georyio 31412
1050 Cod Gnffrn Drive, Sovonnoh, Geoqto 31405
Telephone (912) 652-7634 - Fox (912) 552-7660
felephone (9121 652-7650 -+dx (912) 652-7660
Page 2

As it stands now, I have no idea how a new company will be able to come in just a few days and
be able to provide the service to the level that the inmates are currently receiving. I have no
idea how the new company will be able to provide the same level of care at less money. I hope
when you and the other commissioners look at the presentation from centurion of Georgia,
LLc that consideration is given to the limited amount of time that they will have to be abte
to
come in and start within a couple of days with an incomplete contract. perhaps more
importantly to the taxpayers of chatham county, my command staff has noted serious gaps in
services provided in the proposed contract. There is no emergency. This ,,emergency ,,contract
may indeed result in the taxpayers paying millions more for healthcare.

I do not believe that this serious and large of a contract should ever reach the level of
emergency unless there are serious issues that need immediate address. lamaskingthatan
extension by given to CorrectHealth to provide for a smoother transition and a more thorough
understanding ofthe actual cost that will be incurred underthis contract. This extension will
give time for my staff and the county staffto make an informed decision
as to what is in the
best interest of the taxpayers of Chatham County.

Sincerely,

n T. Wilcher, Sheriff