(a) Definition of welfare fund. According to S.C. Code, § 24-3-960 (as amended), the term “welfare fund” means an account which receives funds generated by the confined inmate population of the Greenville County Detention Center. Profits will be generated primarily from inmate expenditures from the canteen; secondary profits, however, may result from the confiscation of monies and other items seized as contraband. Profits will be used to maintain the inmate canteen and to purchase or repair items used by the inmate population (i.e. recreation equipment, and the like). Hereinafter, for the purposes of this section, the account shall be called the “inmate canteen fund.”
(b) Inmate canteen fund established. An inmate canteen fund is hereby established on behalf of the inmate population. The revenue (i.e., profits) generated by the County Detention Center’s canteen operation will be retained and expended by the County Finance and Administrative Services Department for the continuation of the canteen and other approved inmate welfare projects.
The inmate canteen fund shall be treated as a fiduciary fund and not subsidized by county-appropriated funds; it shall be maintained separately from all other appropriated accounts, and will be governed by standard accounting practices and procedures.
(c) Inmate Canteen Fund Board established. An Inmate Canteen Fund Board will be established to: 1) manage the canteen operation; and 2) recommend expenditures from the inmate canteen fund. At a minimum, the Inmate Canteen Fund Board shall consist of county personnel as follows:
1 member - Financial Operations Division;
1 member - Detention Center Recreation/Programs Officer;
1 member - Detention Center Accounting Specialist;
1 member - Detention Center Administrative Lieutenant or Captain; and
1 member - Detention Center Canteen Operator.
The Board shall meet as needed and report its activities to County Council through the County Administrator via the Director of Community Services.
(d) Disposition of profits. All profits derived from the canteen operation shall be turned over to the Financial Operations Division for placement in the inmate canteen fund. Excess funds may be invested pursuant to law. Interest accrued on such investments may be used only on inmate welfare projects.
(e) Disposition of confiscated monies. In accordance with S.C. Code, § 24-3-960 (as amended), any monies or things of like nature used as money in the unlawful possession of any prisoner confined in the County Detention Center will be declared contraband and deposited in the inmate canteen fund.
(f) Disposition of sales tax. All sales tax collected from the canteen operation shall be turned over to the Financial Operations Division for payment to the South Carolina Tax Commission as required.
(g) Expenditures. All expenditures will follow the small purchase guidelines in § 7-308 of the Greenville County Procurement Ordinance. All items will be approved by the Inmate Canteen Fund Board and the Director of the Department of Community Services. The Board will be responsible for solicitations and quotes as outlined in § 7-308. For purchases above the small purchase limit, the Board will follow the competitive sealed bidding guidelines in §7-305 of the Greenville County Procurement Ordinance, and utilize the services of the County Purchasing Division.
(h) Personnel. The inmate canteen will be provided with sufficient personnel to ensure its efficient operation. Such personnel shall include 2 canteen operators who will be part-time county employees. These canteen operators shall be entitled to the same benefits as all other part-time county employees. In addition, the Inmate Canteen Fund Board is authorized to enter into a contract with a barber, for the benefit of the inmate population. The barber shall be an independent contractor and will not be entitled to county benefits. Additional personnel may be recommended by the Inmate Canteen Fund Board, if the Board, subject to the Greenville County Personnel Ordinance, determines that such additional staff is necessary to maintain the efficient operation of the inmate canteen. The canteen operators and barber and any additional personnel deemed necessary to maintain the efficient operation of the inmate canteen shall be paid with funds from the inmate canteen.
(i) Audit. An audit of the canteen fund shall be conducted on an annual basis by the county’s independent auditor, with the fees for any special services required to be performed resulting from the inmate canteen fund being paid by the inmate canteen fund. Internal audits may be conducted on an as-needed basis.
(Ord. 2583, §§ 1-9, passed 5-17-1994; Ord. 2780, §§ 1-9, passed 10-17-1995)