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Corrections proposes MCE rate changes and a 22% contracted-facility pay bump; county detention payments would rise under statutory formula
Summary
The department presented Decision Package 204 to adjust Montana Correctional Enterprises rates and Decision Package 209 to increase per-diem rates for contracted secure facilities; staff said a statute ties county detention center rates to the Crossroads facility rate, creating a ripple effect if Crossroads rates rise.
The Department of Corrections described two rate-related decision packages to the Section D subcommittee: DP 204, an adjustment to Montana Correctional Enterprises (MCE) proprietary rates, and DP 209, a proposed increase in the rate paid to contracted secure facilities.
"Montana State Prison ... utilizes Montana Correctional Enterprises for a variety of services primarily food preparation, motor vehicle maintenance and dairy purchases," Natalie Smitham said, explaining that MCEs rates are adjusted to account for inflation and pay adjustments.
Smitham said counties that contract for food service or laundry from MCE typically pay a delivery fee that varies by county depending on distance. On DP 209, she told members the department proposed a 22% per-year increase for contracted secure facilities "to mirror what was done for the state employee pay plan." She also said a statute enacted last session sets the rate the department pays county detention centers based on the Crossroads Correctional Facility rate, so an increase at Crossroads would raise county rates.
"The rate is stated in statute that it will be 10% less the Crossroads Correctional Facility rate. Technically ... it says that the rate is $82 or 10% less of the Crossroads Correctional Facility, whichever is greater," Smitham said. She reported the Crossroads rate on the record as $92 per day, which makes the current statutory county rate $82.80 per day.
Committee members asked for the calculations used to estimate the ripple effects on county payments and the department said staff had prepared the math and could provide it to members. The department did not record a formal vote on the packages in the provided transcript.
