Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Detention Medical Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sheriff’s office urges renewal of medical contract; lowering inmate threshold to cut costs would save little, staff say
Summary
Montezuma County staff described a proposed renewal with Southern Health Partners that includes a 4% rate increase and reported that lowering the contract’s guaranteed daily population from 80 to 60 would yield only modest savings.
Montezuma County sheriff’s office staff and commissioners discussed renewal of the county’s contract with Southern Health Partners (SHP) to provide medical services at the detention center. Staff said the renewal includes a 4% cost increase over last year.
Sheriff’s office staff reported that SHP’s chief financial officer advised that dropping the guaranteed adult daily population in the contract from 80 to 60 would not produce significant savings. “The decrease from 80 to 60 would annually save us $4,745 — an average monthly of $395.42,” the sheriff’s presenter said, noting the county’s average daily population can fluctuate and last year averaged about 75 inmates per day.
Staff cautioned that average population levels change quickly and that per‑diem costs apply for inmates above the contract threshold; the contract also includes a per‑inmate surcharge for each day over 80. The sheriff’s office said the quality of medical coverage is a key consideration and that the county will issue a request for proposals (RFP) for medical providers for the detention center later this spring.
Commissioners and staff stressed the county’s legal obligation to provide medical care to detainees and said maintaining adequate coverage reduces liability. One commissioner said it is critical to ensure any future bidder can address civil‑liability concerns tied to inmate medical care.
Why it matters: The contract ensures on‑site medical care for inmates and can affect county liability and operating costs. Commissioners said they want a thorough RFP process to weigh cost, capacity and the provider’s ability to respond to emergencies.
No formal action was taken during the workshop; staff said they will proceed with issuing an RFP and return comparative proposals to the board for consideration.
