Sheriff’s Office Contract With City of Luthersville Terminated

Meriwether County Sheriff Chuck Smith has announced the long standing contract between the Sheriff’s Office and the City of Luthersville has been terminated.
In a letter to the citizens and merchants of Luthersville Sheriff Smith explained what has occurred. The letter is being printed in its entirety.
The following letter was dated July 31 and written by Sheriff Smith:
I feel it is necessary to inform you that Deputy Sheriffs and Criminal Investigators employed by the Meriwether County Sheriff will no longer provide contractual supplemental police services within the municipal boundaries of Luthersville, Georgia.
On June 26, 2013, the City of Luthersville employed a police chief and an officer. An agreement was reached between the late Mayor Robert Trammell and the Sheriff to accept Luthersville Municipal violator(s) at the Meriwether County Jail. A daily cost was agreed upon based on a formula provided by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association.
In 2018, Luthersville Mayor Ginger Hancock and I met to discuss terms of providing police services to the citizens of Luthersville. An agreement was reached between Mayor Hancock and the Sheriff, pursuant to Georgia Law, O.C.G.A. 15-16-13. Luthersville’s annual law enforcement budget at that time was approximately $252,000. Reasonable costs were negotiated and off-duty Deputy Sheriffs began providing supplemental police services on February 14, 2018. NOTE: This agreement further eliminated inmate/violator housing costs paid by the city to the Meriwether County Jail.
Since 2018, there have been two previous Mayors, Donald Cuttie and Leonard Sewell. During their tenures, Memorandums of Understandings (MOU) and Agreements were re-visited and entered into under agreements originally set forth. The terms of those M.O.U.s automatically renewed on their anniversary date(s).
On January 18, 2025, an agreement to provide police services was re-visiting with revisions being considered. Agreements were met and signed by both parties. On February 27, 2026, correspondences were received from Mayor Trammel Williams indicating a 90-day termination notice to the Sheriff unless other addendums could be reached. Concessions were discussed and the agreement preceded until recently when it was determined that Mayor Trammel Williams wanted to re-visit a “new signed contract” prepared by their city attorney which again required signatures between the parties by a date given, April 30, 2026. No further negotiations nor agreements have been made. Mayor Trammell Williams is quoted in an email informing the Sheriff on June 22, 2026, “MCSO and the City of Luthersville do not currently have a valid contract; no further supplemental coverage should be scheduled within the city limits of Lutherville unless a new contract is signed and goes into effect. The city council is adamant about this, and I do not have the authority to override their decision. To be clear, we will not pay for any hours worked past 11:59 PM on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.”
May I point out that during Fiscal Year 2025, the City of Luthersville paid Meriwether County Deputies, while providing supplemental police services, $112,250.99. Revenues from fines and fees imposed against violators in Lutherville’s Municipal Court totaled $56,231.99. This same year deputies responded to 966 calls for service within the city limits. 723 of those calls were handled by the part-time supplemental deputies under the contractual agreement. 243 of those 966 were covered by the Sheriff’s on-duty personnel and were not billed out to the city. Again, these previous agreements allowed Luthersville Municipal inmate/violator jail housing costs to be waived. Average cost savings at $40.00 daily per municipal inmate. To date there is no standing agreement to house Luthersville Municipal inmate(s) nor those that violate terms of municipal probation.
Let me be perfectly clear: As Sheriff there should never be any doubt in your mind or beliefs that myself, my deputies or investigators will neglect our duties to respond to your cry for help. Your wellbeing is of utmost importance to us. These issues mentioned above are those of the current mayor and council members. As a charter/ordinance to provide essential services to its citizenry. Public safety is one of those services. I hope this hasn’t been any attempt to DEFUND POLICE in Luthersville, Georgia by its municipal authority. Be reminded, I was approached eight years ago to provide such services while considering the costs associated with the services rendered.
Futhermore, today one deputy sheriff in Meriwether County costs $66,743.99 to include benefits. I’m hopeful that those you have chosen to elect represent your best interest to mee your expectations as taxpayers while searching for a qualified candidate to serve as Chief of Police and police staffing.
My Sincere Regrets,
Sheriff Chuck Smith