COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Richland County Council met Tuesday evening to discuss a variety of issues, including more ways to evaluate and improve the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
During a discussion about the jail, the council agreed to a Memorandum of Agreement with the Richland County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, that would see that council perform scientific research into why some inmates are held at the jail for longer periods of time than others.
Defense attorneys say they've seen clients stuck in a holding pattern at the jail for months waiting for their cases to move forward.
Richland County Administrator Leonardo Brown discussed what they county hopes to learn.
“Why are (the inmates) there? What factors mitigate their ability to leave? So that we can make more policy decisions related to how Richland County speaks its mind about things that affect individuals at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center,” Brown told county council members.
Other actions saw the council approving a plan to take 15% of prior years’ accommodations tax, commonly referred to as the tourist tax, and using that money for housing assistance for Richland County employees.
Councilman Jason Branham explained some of the details of the program.
“This allocation is to directly focus on downpayment assistance for homeownership, for Richland County employees, public safety, EMS, Richland One and Two teachers and teachers employed at Lexington-Richland District Five schools located in Richland County,” Branham said.
For a home to be eligible, it must be within Richland County.
Council members gave the go ahead to staff to apply for $180,000 in South Carolina Opioid Recovery Funds, that would then be utilized by the Lexington/Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council to hire three additional recovery specialists. Those specialists would primarily bridge the gap between for patients who had been receiving recovery support through the jail but lose access to that support upon release.
The council also received an update on when the county’s comprehensive plan and survey would be available for the public to review.
Community Planning and Development Director Synithia Williams said the county will soon be releasing info on a new webpage where residents can let their voice be heard.
“There, citizens can fill out the survey and give us feedback on what they would like to see as far as growth, development and conservation within Richland County,” she explained to the council.
The council finished the meeting by recognizing the accomplishments of James Solomon, Jr., who died Friday at the age of 94.
Vice Chairman Derrek Pugh called Solomon a great man whose sacrifices laid the foundation for so many who serve the public today.