The Baker County Corrections Board approved the sheriff's proposed 2025'26 operating budget after hearing staff explain increased personnel and operational costs and revenue projections that rely in part on federal housing and transport contracts.

The county packet presented a corrections budget request of $13,796,947 and projected total revenue of about $16,000,849, producing a positive net of roughly $300,000 on the packet's summary. The budget packet breaks the request into personnel services and operational expenses; staff said personnel services were budgeted at about $8.0 million and represent a 13.4% increase driven by salary adjustments, retention pay, higher employer retirement contributions and increased health-insurance participation.

Operational expenses were shown at roughly $5.7 million, an increase of about 9.8% compared with the prior year in the packet. Highlighted operational items included inmate medical services (presented as about $2.209 million), inmate food services (about $447,000), a $54,000 line for negotiations and related professional services tied to ICE contracts, an estimated $13,000 added cost for rapid ID swabs, and upgrades for body-worn cameras and software.

Budget staff emphasized that a persistent rise in average daily population explains much of the cost growth: "Your count is up 41 over the year for 365 days," a presenter told the board, saying the additional 41 daily beds account for about $1.2 million in operational cost. Staff also noted the county-specific inmate count averaging in the 140'155 range could add another roughly $330,000 if sustained during the year.

Revenue projections in the packet allocate about $8.281 million to ICE housing and transport, $4.239 million to the U.S. Marshals and related housing/transport contracts, and $4.328 million attributable to county inmates. Staff said these projected federal and county revenues form the basis of the budget and that the county has adjusted projections based on mid-year trends.

The sheriff addressed the board during the budget discussion and cautioned that revenue from federal detainee contracts can be temporary. He said negotiations with federal partners planned for spring will aim to secure multi-year terms but warned of the risk that those revenue streams can decline within 18'24 months. The sheriff also said he cut two positions in the current year, which he estimated would return roughly $140,000 to the budget.

After discussion the board voted to approve the budget as presented.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve the agenda ' approved by voice vote.
- Motion to approve meeting minutes (May 5) ' approved by voice vote.
- Motion to accept the financial report (presented by Crystal) ' approved by voice vote.
- Motion to accept the independent audit report ' approved by voice vote.
- Motion to approve the 2025'26 corrections operating budget as presented ' approved by voice vote.

Board members and staff said they would continue to monitor population and revenue trends and that staff would pursue negotiation and grant opportunities where appropriate.