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Worcester County jail budget projects higher inmate medical costs and U.S. Marshals reimbursements
Summary
The jail presented a FY2026 budget that includes a $357,727 increase for inmate medical contracts, plans to replace underground fuel tanks and HVAC units, and expects higher revenue from U.S. Marshals housing reimbursements and a new income stream from inmate communication systems.
Worcester County jail leadership presented a FY2026 budget request that includes a proposed increase of $357,727 for the inmate medical contract and a capital package to replace aging fuel storage tanks, the facility UPS (uninterruptible power supply) and rooftop HVAC units.
Administrators told commissioners the FY26 medical contract renewal would raise the total to approximately $1.9 million, covering medical salaries, benefits, contract labor, insurance and management fees. The jail said the increase reflects market pressures and required services for an expanding medical workload.
On revenues, the jail reported two new or increased sources: a new revenue line for inmate communication/device payments estimated at $30,000 and a reclassified account for U.S. Marshals reimbursements (previously in a different account) projected at $742,600 based on recent FY25 averages. The department said U.S. Marshals housing reimbursements are up compared with the FY25 adopted budget.
Admin staff also asked for capital funds (approx. $147,605) to replace two 10,000-gallon underground fuel tanks, upgrade an obsolete UPS system and replace failing rooftop HVAC units; they said replacement parts and units have long lead times. Other requested changes include modest adjustments for utilities and maintenance driven by rising rates.
Commissioners asked if towns such as Snow Hill had also raised utility fees; jail staff confirmed rate increases are a county and neighboring-town reality and that water and sewer costs are rising.
The jail presentation emphasized that certain revenue gains (Marshals reimbursements and new inmate-communication revenue) help offset rising operating costs but that medical contract inflation remains the principal driver of the FY26 ask.
