Wichita County Commissioners Court received a status report March 20 on salaries, overtime and revenue from out-of-county inmates, and discussed the county’s staffing needs for the jail.

The report, which commissioners said was circulated in advance, notes 17 current openings and a plan to start about seven new hires “on the 30 first,” as described at the meeting. The jail chief told the court most recent overtime was concentrated in jail operations. “Most but 90% of that was working overtime in the jail,” the chief said.

Commissioners and staff discussed out-of-county inmate revenue. The court was told Collin County is adding to its jail and that many inmates have been housed through a network of North Texas jails. Staff also said U.S. Marshals placements are part of the county’s out-of-county population.

On the U.S. Marshals contract, a county staffer said financial information had been provided to the Marshals, and that the contract was at or near the point of being sent to the Marshals’ office. “We've gotten them the financial information but I don't I haven't received anything further than that,” the staffer said. The court asked staff to check the contract status.

Staff said the county captured per-inmate liability and property-insurance costs for revenue calculations. Commissioners noted projections were concerning if current overtime trends continue through the year. The court also confirmed the final bill-filing deadline had passed the previous Friday.

No formal actions were taken at the meeting on staffing levels or contracts; commissioners asked staff to continue monitoring hiring and the Marshals contract and to report back.