Warren County Fiscal Court voted Friday to increase the Warren County Regional Jail’s operating budget by about $500,000.

Magistrates unanimously approved an operating budget for the jail for fiscal year 2018 – which begins July 1 – of $8,079,191, according to Warren County Treasurer Greg Burrell. The budget for fiscal year 2017 was $7,554,080.

Warren County Jailer Stephen Harmon said the change is due to a 2 percent increase in cost-of-living expenses the jail pays its staff and a need to replace the jail’s roof.

“I don’t know the exact age of the roof. I’m thinking it’s at least 25 to 30 years old,” he said.

The roof, which leaks, has been patched numerous times, Harmon said, adding that replacement of the leaking sections has become necessary.

Harmon said he expects the roof replacement to cost about $200,000.

“We’re at a point where we’ve got leaks in the building,” he said. “We have to get that repaired.”

Fiscal court also signed off on jail purchases of a $1,779 safety restraint chair and three Tasers, batteries and holsters for $4,177.

The equipment is being paid for from the jail’s canteen fund, at no cost to the county, according to Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon.

The jail already has two safety restraint chairs, but jail staff have identified a need for an additional chair, Harmon said.

Jail staff can strap inmates who need additional supervision into the chairs to keep them from moving, he said.

“We can put them in this chair. It allows them to be safe and it allows me to keep my staff safe,” he said.

The Tasers are also considered a need by jail staff to improve the facility’s safety, Harmon said.

Meanwhile, fiscal court allowed the Parks and Recreation Department to advertise for the replacement of six wooden light poles following an inspection that determined they present a possible danger.

In 2016, two wooden light poles fell at Oakland Ballpark. No one was hurt, but the malfunctions led to safety concerns, Buchanon said.

“Had they fallen when someone was there, it could have been a totally different result,” he said. “We just felt like, for safety’s sake, we would have these all analyzed by professionals.”

The cost to replace the six wooden light poles that have rotted at their bases is still to be determined but will be reimbursed by the general obligation bonds, not to exceed $12 million, that the county issued in March to pay for the construction of two gyms at Michael O. Buchanon and Ephram White parks, according to parks Director Chris Kummer.

In addition, 12 of the 42 poles that were inspected need “substantial guide wiring,” to keep them standing straight and firmly secured to the ground, he said.

Kummer said he hopes that work on replacing and reinforcing the poles will begin within the next six weeks.

“There’s no impending danger (immediately) but there is a danger that’s presenting itself,” he said.