Laramie County Jail increases inmate housing rate to flat $100 per day

The Albany County Commissioners held a budget work session on June 4, 2025, focusing on key revenue adjustments and cost-saving measures for the county jail. A significant topic of discussion was the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Laramie regarding the housing of inmates. Starting in July, the county will transition from a tiered rate of $35 to $75 per day to a flat rate of $100 per day for housing inmates. This change is expected to increase revenue by approximately 15%, although exact figures are still being calculated.

The county jail currently houses nearly 60% of its inmates from Laramie, making this agreement crucial for budget planning. The flat rate is anticipated to help cover rising operational costs at the facility.

Another major point of discussion was the jail's food budget. The county plans to reduce the number of hot meals served from three to one per day, in compliance with federal requirements. This change aims to cut costs while still providing nutritious meals. The jail will focus on more cost-effective food options, such as substituting expensive meats with legumes and other produce, while ensuring that dietary needs for special diets are still met.

Concerns were also raised about the high costs associated with inmate medical care. The county is currently paying significant amounts for medical services, which has led to discussions about the possibility of reducing costs by exploring alternative service providers. The sheriff emphasized the importance of having medical coverage at the jail to manage liabilities and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the county's efforts to balance budget constraints with the need to maintain essential services at the jail. The commissioners will continue to analyze these changes as they finalize the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.