Chase County detention center: new captain introduced; commissioners discuss utilities, population and equipment payment plans

Chase County commissioners on Dec. 16 received a status update on detention center operations, were introduced to a newly hired captain and discussed options for handling telecommunications bills and equipment payment plans.

A new captain

County officials introduced Jay Whitney as the new detention center captain; the meeting record says it was his first day. County staff described Whitney as experienced with “20 to 25 years of detention experience” and said he will “hit the ground running.”

Detention center finances and population

Staff presented the detention center’s November financial report and said a bank reconciliation error had been resolved; the cash balance was described as about $400,000 higher than the printed report showed. The detention center’s average daily population was reported at about 126.9, “right at 127,” with the speaker noting population dips during holiday periods.

Telecommunications (IdeaTek) and utility billing

Staff asked whether the commissioners objected to moving IdeaTek phone and internet charges for several county departments to the detention center’s billing so those departments would be relieved of the monthly payments. The speakers calculated the countywide IdeaTek total at approximately $481.66 per month and estimated that putting all IdeaTek costs on the detention center would free roughly $5,779 a year across affected budgets. Commissioners and staff discussed having the detention center pick up the bills for the compound but did not record a formal vote on that change during the meeting.

Equipment payment plans

Staff noted the county entered interest-free payment plans with a vendor (INA) for a control board and intercoms. The speaker described two remaining balances—one of roughly $36,000 and another of about $102,000—and asked whether the board wanted to pay some of those balances off or continue the $12,000-per-month payment plan. Staff noted both plans include a period of interest-free terms and recommended continuing the interest-free payment arrangement; commissioners did not record a separate formal vote on altering the schedules at the meeting.

Why it matters

Decisions about which department pays recurring telecommunications or equipment payments affect departmental budgets across the county. The detention center’s population and cash balance figures affect revenue projections and operational planning for jail staffing, transport and contract obligations.

Ending

Commissioners were briefed on the issues and suggested staff continue monitoring the payment plans and the potential for reassigning IdeaTek bills to the detention center’s accounts. No formal motion to change billing or to accelerate the INA payments was recorded in the minutes for this meeting.