Sheriff's office and corrections officials presented their proposed 2026 budgets to the Finance Committee on Sept. 15 and asked the committee to review requested increases for inmate medical and dental services, academy training for correctional staff, and new peer‑support staffing tied to the jail’s recovery programming.

Medical and dental: Corrections leadership told the committee the county’s inmate medical contract covers basic medical care and that the county is searching for a dental provider after a prior dental contract lapsed. County staff said they budgeted an additional amount (discussed in committee) to cover dental exams and emergency dental extractions; the county asked that money remain available until a new vendor is under contract.

Accreditation and audit timing: The jail is in an accreditation year and must pay audit fees in advance of the audit visit. Staffing and correctional‑training costs include several new hires and academy slots; staff said they budgeted to send recruits and supervisors to state‑required training and to pay the advance portion of the accreditation audit to meet the auditor’s schedule.

Peer support and recovery programming: Jail officials described a peer support specialist role (a staffer with lived‑experience who provides outreach to people reentering the community). The sheriff’s staff requested a part‑time, no‑benefits peer support position budgeted at $20,000 and said a $10,000 grant is available to offset half of that cost. Officials asked the committee to create a visible line in the budget showing the grant offset so reimbursements are traceable.

Inmate housing revenue: Corrections leadership reported substantial out‑of‑county inmate housing revenue: roughly $576,000 collected since Dec. 1, with the figure expected to exceed $600,000 by November. Officials said such revenues have totaled about $1.5 million over the past two years and are recorded in the general fund.

Other notes: Corrections staff asked for replacement of aging jail equipment and noted increased inmate supplies, uniforms and maintenance costs tied to increased bookings and recent hiring. The committee requested a vendor representative attend the next meeting to explain hidden or variable line items in the inmate medical contract.

Committee actions and next steps: Committee members asked staff to provide documentation about the dental procurement timeline and to invite the medical contractor to explain contract costs at the next committee meeting; no budget votes were taken on Sept. 15.