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Liberty County approves jail billing rate increase to $86 a day, hears repair progress
Summary
The commissioners approved raising the county jail billing rate from $59 to $86 per day to cover rising costs; the sheriff reported substantial repairs and camera installation scheduled to allow partial inmate intake in early February.
Liberty County Commissioners voted to raise the county jail billing rate to $86 per day, up from $59, to cover higher costs for staff, food and inmate care. The sheriff told the court the increase reflects current expenses and compared it to higher outside housing costs the county sometimes pays.
The sheriff also provided a status update on post‑fire repairs: West End Hall repairs are largely complete except for two doors and a window; HVAC work is finished and a damaged heater duct is being replaced; expanded metal work in several dorms is complete with additional work under way; the camera system installation is scheduled to begin Jan. 19. If the remaining work continues on schedule, staff expected to begin receiving inmates in repaired areas on Feb. 1.
Commissioners noted they had warned local police departments about the pending billing increase. The motion to approve the rate increase passed by voice vote.
The court accepted the sheriff’s informational report and approved the billing rate, which officials said will better reflect the county’s internal costs and remain competitive with contract alternatives.
