Marshall County advisory board to study raising Community Corrections user fees; subcommittee formed

Marshall County Community Corrections staff presented comparisons of user-fee structures used by nearby counties and recommended the advisory board consider raising its $12-per-day user fee. The board voted to form a small subcommittee to study options and present a recommended policy early next year.

Anthony, the assistant director, told the board he reached out to 13 neighboring counties and received nine responses. He reported that six counties use a flat daily fee regardless of employment status, while three counties use a progressive scale that sets a minimum daily charge but increases the fee for people with higher earnings. Anthony cited Fulton County as a recent example of a county increasing its flat fee from $12 to $15 (change approved in October by that countyadvisory board).

Board discussion weighed administrative complexity against equity. One board member said a standard flat fee reduces staff workload because case managers would not need to repeatedly adjust fees if a clientademployed status changes; another board member endorsed a progressive approach because it could place higher costs on people who have a greater ability to pay. The board acknowledged implementation work would be substantial for a progressive system.

The advisory board agreed to form a subcommittee of roughly four people plus Anthony to draft fee-policy options. Members discussed including representatives from probation, the prosecutoras office, defense, and the advisory board. The group will review sample policies and return with a written recommendation in early 2026 for the board to consider and potentially adopt.