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Commissioners discuss jail lockup/housing fees, city contributions and disposition of old jail assets
Summary
Commissioners reviewed current lockup and housing fees for municipal prisoners, discussed whether to raise fees for nonparticipating cities, noted Hamilton’s planned multi-year contribution to the new jail, and discussed cleaning, demolishing or selling assets from the old jail.
Marion County commissioners discussed jail-related finances and operations, including lockup and housing fees for municipal prisoners, Hamilton’s multi-year contribution to the county jail project, and the disposition and cleanup of the old jail property.
A commissioner summarized current municipal lockup and housing fees and said municipalities have been asked in prior years to provide contributions to the new jail. The transcript includes a cited lockup fee of $25 and a housing fee of $25 per day as examples discussed; commissioners said Hamilton had agreed to a multi-year financial contribution to the jail project and that other municipalities that use the jail have been asked to participate as well.
Commissioners debated whether to increase housing or lockup fees charged to municipalities that do not otherwise contribute to the jail project, with one commissioner noting that raising fees could incentivize cities to process municipal court business faster. Staff confirmed fee revenues go to jail operations; lockup fees and housing fees were described as supporting the jail.
Separately, commissioners discussed the old jail building and whether to demolish it, remove salvageable equipment and sell certain items (vehicles, trailers, equipment). County staff and the sheriff’s office were asked to inventory assets at the old jail, identify property that can be sold and determine which items must be retained as evidence for pending cases. Commissioners discussed the potential to list surplus items on government auction sites to recoup funds.
One staff member requested clarity on how city prisoners convert to county custody when municipal charges evolve into county probation holds or county charges; staff and a commissioner explained procedures and said housing costs shift depending on the status of the detainee and the jurisdiction handling the charge.
No formal vote on fee changes or asset disposition was recorded in the transcript; staff said they would inventory old-jail assets and bring information back to commissioners.
