Chippewa County board approves jail medical contract renewal, raising annual cost to $690,105

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners approved a renewal of its contract with Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. that raises the county's annual jail medical services cost to $690,105, during the board's Nov. 13 regular meeting.

The renewal (Renewal Option 2) was moved by Commissioner Scott Shackleton and supported by Commissioner Justin Knepper and passed on a voice vote. County materials presented to the Finance Committee showed the county's existing 84-hour-per-week contract cost $481,983 annually; adding 40 hours was shown to increase annual costs to $690,105, a $208,122 difference. Advanced Correctional Healthcare has also requested implementation of an electronic medical record (EMR) system, which was noted as a one-time ~$17,000 cost plus roughly $30,000 annually if accepted.

Committee discussion recorded in the transcript indicated concern about the county assuming liability for passing prescription medications to inmates; the transcript says the Sheriff's Office administration was not interested in taking on that liability. The committee voted to approve the renewal but asked Sheriff's Office administration to seek alternative vendors and to check the contract's opt-out clause before finalizing long-term arrangements.

The vote to approve Renewal Option 2 was recorded as a voice vote and carried. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the minutes provided. The board directed Sheriff's Office administration to explore alternatives and report back to the committee or board as appropriate.

The contract renewal will take effect as negotiated under the terms presented to the Finance Committee; specifics about start date and any implementation schedule were not specified in the meeting record.