After considering the added expense of approximately $80,000 a year to add jailers, plus the other expenses to house inmates, such as food and laundry services, Chief Reogas suggested the city close the city jail. Presently, all arrested juveniles are taken to a facility in Muscle Shoals and adults with felony charges are taken to the Winston County jail.  Persons charged with a misdemeanor are incarcerated in the city jail. Typical misdemeanors include: petty theft, disturbing the peace, simple assault and battery, drunk driving without injury to others, drunkenness in public, various traffic violations, public nuisances. 

Chief Reogas pointed out that there is only one jail in use in Marion County and all cities in Marion County used the Marion County jail. Problems with utilizing the Winston County jail included the its history of being overcrowded. The inconvenience and time required to transport inmates to and from Double Springs by a police officer was discussed. An estimate of 18 months or longer for the new judicial building and jail to be built behind the Winston County Courthouse compounds the situation. 

City attorney Shane Cook stated he would investigate to determine if the fire marshall's findings were binding and if the requirement for full time jailers could be grandfathered and continue utilizing the dispatcher as a jailer. 

Because it was a work session, no action was taken. The subject was not addressed during the following city council meeting.