Due to escalating costs to maintain staff and facilities, the Kennesaw Police Department plans to outsource inmate services to the City of Acworth, beginning Jan. 27 and resulting in the elimination of nine Kennesaw jail officer positions.
Kennesaw Human Resources staff will meet with each affected employee individually to discuss the details of separation, review any available options within the city workforce and provide any other assistance that is appropriate, according to a written statement Friday from city officials.
Since Kennesaw and Acworth already have a strong working relationship through shared 911 services, consolidating the expense of jail operations will provide cost efficiencies for both cities.
“One of the primary responsibilities of city management is to serve our residents by being effective stewards of their tax dollars,” Kennesaw City Manager Jeff Drobney said in the statement. “We are constantly evaluating and re-evaluating our operations. During the last 15 months, we have been reviewing and analyzing costs and expenses associated with all city departments, including those associated with providing inmate services through an in-house jail.”
Drobney added, “After much discussion and review, it has been determined the outsourcing of inmate services to the City of Acworth gives us an opportunity to enhance cost control for both cities.”
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