Final 4 candidates announced for the open Mecklenburg County Commissioners seat: Wednesday, March 9

The final four applicants have been selected for the open Mecklenburg County Commissioners seat.

The seat is currently open due to the Board approving a request for medical leave from Commissioner At-Large Ella Scarborough. North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) § 128-40 permits the Board of County Commissioners to appoint a temporary replacement for the period of the official's leave of absence.

A total of 22 applications were received for the temporary At-Large County Commissioner seat. Of the 22 applications, three did not meet the eligibility requirements set by the Board of County Commissioners and one chose to withdraw from consideration.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mecklenburg-county-commissioners-seat/275-bbee2c1b-f16a-40e4-aac0-46b20fb8f2a0

Sheriff Garry McFadden presented the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners with his plan to address staffing issues Tuesday following a state inspection that found the jail had severe shortages and failed to adequately supervise inmates.

Staffing has been a concern at the jail central in Uptown Charlotte for some time. Last month, WCNC Charlotte learned the sheriff's office entered into a contract with a New York-based private security company to provide guards through at least the end of June. The state gave McFadden until March 11 to fix the issues identified in their report.

A WCNC Charlotte investigation discovered an increase in violent attacks against guards and staffing shortage issues that resulted in a lack of inmate supervision on a consistent basis. An inspection by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services found the Mecklenburg County Detention Center failed to meet minimum supervision requirements. The inspection was completed following a formal complaint that was filed by the Fraternal Order of Police in December.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/mecklenburg-county-jail-staffing-shortages-charlotte-north-carolina-garry-mcfadden/275-ec6b943c-5893-4897-b0ff-ebc3eada0167

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