Grinder To Help Stephens Co. Jail with Toilet Issues

Stephens County is purchasing a grinder for the Stephens County Jail.

Last week, county commissioners voted unanimously to purchase the grinder now out of the general fund and then pay back the general fund with SPLOST VI proceeds.

Stephens County Administrator Phyllis Ayers said the grinder is needed to help prevent ongoing sewer issues that have taken place regularly at the jail with inmates putting things down into the sewer system.

“We talked about the issue at the jail of the inmates flushing sheets and candy wrappers,” said Ayers, who explained it causes major problems in the city’s end of the pumps and sewer system associated with the facility.

Ayers said that the Sheriff’s Office has worked on putting procedures in place to try and prevent this from happening and the problem has improved.

However, she said it would take just one instance of an inmate not following the rules to create a major problem.

Also, Ayers said that the county has already spent more than $11,000 this fiscal year to clean out the system in order to ensure things do not get to the city part of it and cause problems for that pump.

Ayers said the grinder will cost Stephens County just under $41,000 and county crews will do the installation.