Lowering inmate meals could save the Bibb County Jail about $10,000

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office may be saving money on inmate meals soon.  Sheriff David Davis said lowering the price per meal by a penny can start to add up.

“It’ll save us between nine and $10,000 a year,” recalls Sheriff Davis.

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office changed its agreement with the company that provides food for inmates.  If Macon-Bibb Commissioners approve the change, every inmates meal will be a penny cheaper.

“Things are going up every year. You expect to have an increase, but this year we were able to have a little bit of a decrease and still be able to provide the same level of meals to the inmates who are here,” explains Sheriff Davis.

The savings come from re-negotiation. The sheriff’s office was able to lower the cost because officials kept the kitchen equipment in great condition.

“Because our equipment has stayed in pretty good working order. Things do break and tear up, but we haven’t had it tear up or go out of service abnormally,” adds Sheriff Davis.

Sheriff Davis said his jail can hold 966 inmates. It averages about 870 each year. 

“We serve over 900,000 meals a year,” continues Sheriff Davis.

The contract with Trinity Services Group is almost a million dollars. Sheriff Davis explained saving $10,000 isn’t that much, but it’s money he can use somewhere else.

“Supplies. That sort of thing in the jail that we might need for the upkeep of the inmates, we have to purchase with that,” explains Sheriff Davis.

Sheriff Davis said the meals won’t lose quality because they’re cheaper and each inmate will still get three meals a day.

“Grits, eggs. Lunch is typically a sandwich with a piece of fruit, maybe a cookie for dessert. Dinner is another hot meal. It could be anything like spaghetti or fried steak,” comments Sheriff Davis.

Sheriff Davis said while the daily menu changes, each one has one thing in common: it’s nutritious. 

Macon-Bibb’s Operations and Finance Committee passed a resolution that accepts the changed to the agreement.  It will go for a full commission vote next week.