Warren County urges Kentucky to pass HB 557, cites jail reimbursement shortfall

Warren County Fiscal Court on Feb. 12 approved Resolution 26‑02 urging the Kentucky General Assembly to pass House Bill 557, a bill county leaders say would make reimbursements for housing state inmates more equitable.

“Long story short is we are reimbursed from the state a little over $32 a day for a state inmate. It costs us about $60 a day to house them,” the presiding Judge said during discussion, framing the resolution as a county fiscal priority. The Judge told the court the shortfall translates into “millions of dollars that the citizens of Warren County are on the hook for, that should be a state responsibility,” and estimated passage would produce “about a $2.5 million per year difference” for the county budget.

The Judge said the resolution has broad backing from county associations and stakeholders, including the Kentucky Association of Counties, the Kentucky County Judge Executive Association, the Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association, and the Kentucky Jail Association. The motion to adopt the resolution was made by Squire Cummings and seconded by Squire Aldridge and approved by roll call.

Court members and staff framed the measure as a statewide fiscal and fairness issue, noting many Kentucky counties hold state inmates but are underpaid for daily costs and sometimes experience delayed reimbursement. The Judge said HB 557 contains multiple provisions intended to address those reimbursement and timing issues; court members urged the county’s legislative delegation to prioritize the bill.

The resolution does not itself change county practice but sends a formal request from the Fiscal Court to the state legislature and the county’s delegation to support HB 557. The court voted to approve the resolution and instructed staff to continue coordination with legislative partners.