Fulton County commissioners failed to pass a measure to replace over 1,300 faulty locks on cell doors at a county jail.

Commissioner Tom Lowe, who supported the proposal to repair the locks, was over three hours late to the meeting and missed the vote. Wwithout Lowe, the proposal failed in a 3-3 vote.

Faulty locks in the jail are one issue officials must address to resolve a federal lawsuit, which forced Fulton County to operate the jail under federal supervision.

County officials say the jail's primary problem is improper supervision of inmates, not faulty locks on cell doors.

Officials say the $5 million it would cost to repair locks at the jail could be better spent on services for county residents.

Tags: Fulton County, jail, jail locks, fulton county commission