Grant County Fiscal Court adopts resolution urging passage of House Bill 557 to increase jail reimbursements

Grant County Fiscal Court unanimously approved Resolution 2026-01 during its Feb. 17, 2026 meeting, urging the Kentucky General Assembly to pass House Bill 557 to change how the Commonwealth reimburses counties for housing state inmates.

The resolution, read aloud in full to the court, states that county general fund transfers to county jails have risen about 76% from fiscal 2019 through fiscal 2025 and that the current state reimbursement of $35.34 per day is well below the statewide average county cost of $63.44 per day. The resolution says House Bill 557, introduced by state Representative Michael Meredith (House District 18) on Feb. 4, 2026, would require the Commonwealth to reimburse counties at a rate based on actual costs when defendants are later convicted and receive credit for time served, incentivize creation or expansion of regional jail authorities, and require inmate programming and daily medical professional presence.

The text also calls for the Commonwealth to contract with county fiscal courts or regional jail authorities to house state inmates and reimburse the actual cost of housing, and it limits transfers of state inmates between facilities without prior approval from the Commonwealth. The court’s resolution notes support for the bill from the Kentucky Association of Counties, the Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association, the Kentucky Magistrate and Commissioners Association, and the Kentucky Jail Association. The resolution singles out Representative Meredith for introducing the bill and thanks Representative Savannah Maddox for cosponsoring it where she represents Grant County.

Judge (presiding) moved that the court adopt Resolution 2026-01; the motion was seconded and passed with all members saying “aye.” The clerk will transmit copies of the resolution to the county’s members of the Kentucky House and Senate. The court recorded the action as a formal motion and vote; no opposing votes or abstentions were recorded.

The resolution is procedural and advisory: it asks the state legislature to act but does not change county law or funding. Next steps are legislative: the resolution will accompany the bill as it proceeds through the 2026 regular session of the General Assembly.