JSO projects increased revenues by taking over monitoring services, but could cost taxpayers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — JSO expects to take in $1.4 million dollars more in revenue by fully taking over ankle monitoring systems in Duval County, but there are concerns the proposal could actually cost taxpayers.

Josh Cockrell is co-owner of Reliable Monitoring Solutions.

The company has been one of the primary providers of alcohol- and GPS monitoring systems in the county since 2019, but over the past six months JSO has been picking up more of those contracts.

“And we have seen such a decrease,” said Cockrell.

He was surprised to find during an August budget hearing that JSO intends to take over all ankle monitoring services starting Oct. 1.

“Monopolizing these services rather than having private providers provide them,” said Cockrell.

Cockrell claims his company collects roughly 90% of the fees it’s owed.

But Cockrell began doing some sleuthing and uncovered through public records requests that JSO’s collection rate appears much lower.

According to JSO records, only 27% of fees owed on active monitors had been collected as of Aug. 3, putting the program $156,000 in the red.

“And it’s unfortunate the taxpayers have to pay for said services,” said Cockrell.

There’s also a question of staffing.

JSO said the additional monitoring services would fall under the purview of the jail, which is currently short 109 correctional officers.

It’s an issue that interim Sheriff Pat Ivey argued a new software system will address.

“I’ve been assured by that chain of command that that staffing can do that in that releasing process,” said Ivey on Aug. 11.

Councilmembers also raised concerns during the Aug. 11 budget meeting.

Council Vice President Ron Salem (R-Group 2 at-large) requested an audit of the program be conducted and completed by March to ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t being mishandled.

We asked him why he didn’t request the audit to be completed prior to JSO taking over all services.

“Well, it’s a minimal amount they’re doing now. I think the better question is for the private sector that is presently doing these bracelets, why are the judiciary, the public defender and the state attorney’s office want this moved into the sheriff’s office?” said Salem.

Councilmembers told us this issue will likely come up again during finance committee meetings in about two weeks.

Cockrell said he hopes they’ll reconsider before finalizing the budget.

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