Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sheriff’s office flags jail medical costs, IDOC billing issues and equipment needs in 2026 budget hearing
Summary
The sheriff’s office reported a modest overall operating increase and flagged unresolved payments from the Indiana Department of Correction, a projected medical cap shortfall that decreased from initial projections, and one-time capital needs including a body scanner repair and a key-control system replacement.
Chief Deputy Sean Holmes presented the sheriff’s 2026 budget on Sept. 19 and said the overall operating request showed a small decrease across combined funds but a modest increase in the county general fund driven by personnel market adjustments.
Holmes told councilors the sheriff’s office is pursuing outstanding per-diem and medical reimbursements from the Indiana Department of Correction for inmates held locally under IDOC contracts. "We bill them...we have all the receipts, what they owe us based on per diem. So I don't know what the problem is," Holmes said, adding the county is working with an association (ISA) and other remedies to recoup funds.
On jail medical costs, Holmes said the projected shortfall for the medical cap this year is about $400,000 — roughly half of earlier estimates — and that the county will monitor the figure and could adjust next year’s budget if necessary.
The sheriff also identified specific 2026 capital and equipment items: a new diesel transport bus (used for statewide transports), replacement parts and repair for the on-site body scanner (repair quotes exceed warranty and could top $100,000), and a bid-ready package to replace aging key-control hardware for inmate and equipment tracking. Radios and repeaters used for communications were also noted as a need in concert with commissioners.
Holmes said vehicle costs have risen sharply and the office had reduced motor-vehicle spending expectations for 2026; staff are prioritizing replacements but expect a tighter vehicle budget next year.
Councilors asked for clarifications on revenue rollovers and cash balances in the special-purpose fund and on how medical and vehicle costs were being managed. No formal vote occurred.
