Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Jail Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Benton County adopts new jail fee schedule, effective March 1
Summary
Benton County supervisors approved Resolution #26-10 to replace the county's jail fee structure, setting a $75 daily room-and-board rate, a one-time $75 booking administrative fee, and other work-release charges; 60% of collected funds will be designated for law enforcement as required by Iowa Code.
Benton County supervisors on Feb. 24 adopted a new jail fee schedule that takes effect March 1, 2026, replacing the county's 2013 policy. The board voted to adopt Resolution #26-10 after a presentation by Benton County Sheriff Dave Upah and Chief Deputy Josh Karsten.
The resolution sets room-and-board at $75 per calendar day, an administrative booking fee of $75 assessed once per booking, and specified work-release fees and an electronic monitoring charge of $15 per day. Medical-related fees will be billed at actual cost under the sheriff's medical-billing policy. The resolution states that fees apply to inmates convicted or sentenced as authorized by Iowa Code §356.7 and that contract and exempt inmate groups are governed by applicable contracts or statutory exemptions.
The resolution replaces Resolution #13-3 and directs that all fees collected by the Sheriff's Office be credited to the County General Fund, with 60% of the funds designated for law enforcement purposes, including jail infrastructure, inmate medical and prescription costs, courthouse security equipment, and personnel costs, consistent with Iowa Code §356.7(5). The document also notes that fees are tracked for pre-conviction inmates but only assessed upon conviction and that fees shall be paid prior to release when applicable or collected through lawful reimbursement methods.
Sheriff Dave Upah and Chief Deputy Josh Karsten presented the policy changes and a comprehensive jail-fees policy supporting the updated schedule. The board adopted the resolution as drafted; minutes record unanimous "aye" votes. The resolution includes statutory citations that the board relied on in adopting the new schedule.
The new fee schedule and the Sheriff's Office policy are intended to align billing procedures and accounting with current operations and statutory guidance. The resolution notes Iowa Code §910.3 no longer authorizes inclusion of jail fees in criminal judgments and references Iowa Code §356.15A for medical billing.
