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Judge says jail revenue projections fall as state inmate counts drop; SB 283 funding uncertain
Summary
Judge/Executive Mason Bames told the court jail budget projections worsened because the projected number of state inmates fell to 170 from prior estimates up to 205. He said Kentucky Senate Bill 283 could offer funding but is held up in the legislature and that there is speculation about regionalizing jails.
Judge/Executive Mason Bames told the Fiscal Court that the county’s jail budget projections are under pressure because the number of state inmates used in revenue calculations has declined. He said recent projections use 170 state inmates rather than a previous assumption of up to 205, reducing expected state reimbursement.
Bames said Kentucky Senate Bill 283 might provide some funding for jails but that the bill is currently held up in the legislative process; he said he had discussed the issue with state lawmakers including Senator Mike Wilson and Representative Shawn McPherson. He also said there is speculation—based on how the legislation appears to be moving—that the state may be working toward regionalizing jails. The minutes record this as speculation; no formal county determination or directive was made at the meeting.
No formal motion was taken on jail policy or budgeting at the April 2 session; the comments were recorded as part of the court’s budget discussion and budget transfers.
