Detention leader says commissary, staffing already at minimum as commissioners probe $170 inmate‑housing rate
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Summary
The county’s corrections leadership supplied operating cuts but said more reductions would require staff cuts; commissioners approved a separate pay action for jail officers later in the meeting.
Colfax County’s corrections leadership reported operating cuts but said the detention center has little room for additional reductions without cutting staff.
The warden provided a list of operating reductions totaling roughly $36,000 but said any additional savings would need to come from payroll. "I literally cannot take anything else away," the warden said, stressing the minimum staffing needed for 24/7 operations.
Separately, staff reported the county will raise the off‑site detainee housing rate from about $99.75 per day to $170 per day, effective July 1. Corrections staff estimated that the higher rate will increase detention‑related revenue materially and reduce the required operating transfer from the general fund for the detention special revenue account. Staff said the change would be in effect for the coming fiscal year.
Commissioners discussed commissary and pharmacy projections (profit-generating lines for the detention facility), and the effect of any change on revenue. Corrections requested that commissary not be cut below levels that would eliminate its revenue stream; commissioners agreed to a conservative approach that retained commissary revenue assumptions.
Later in the meeting, the commission approved a personnel pay action for jail officers (see separate action). Commissioners also asked staff to freeze but not delete one open detention position so the county could reinstate it quickly if population or operational needs changed.
Why it matters: Staffing and revenue assumptions at the detention center affect both public safety and the county’s general fund; commissioners noted that shortfalls in a corrections budget could require transfers from the general fund or draw on reserves.
Next steps: Staff will finalize the detainee‑housing rate change paperwork and update the detention fund transfer in the county budget model. The commission directed that the frozen open position be retained in the salary schedule as a quickly reversible measure.
