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Lee County supervisors approve $61,000 quarter payment to regional jail after debate over state responsibility
Summary
The board approved a roughly $61,000 payment requested by the regional jail for the second quarter after discussion about whether the cost represents state-responsible inmates; some supervisors objected but the board voted to pay the bill.
The Lee County Board of Supervisors approved a request from the regional jail to pay the remaining balance for the second quarter — roughly $61,000 — after staff said the amount was budgeted and necessary to complete billing.
County staff explained the request was for a balance due on second-quarter inmate billing and that the check would clear an outstanding liability. "I'm requesting that money to pay the county's liability for that $61,000," the county administrator (speaker 10) said during discussion.
Several supervisors and residents objected on principle, arguing the charge reflects inmates who should be the state's responsibility. "$61,000 of the taxpayers' money that we should not have to" absorb, one supervisor said, urging the county not to fund state-responsible costs. County staff and the motion’s mover noted the amount was already budgeted for the year and that litigation or withholding payment could be more costly.
The motion to authorize payment was moved by Allen Sumpter (speaker 3) and seconded by a board member; the board then approved the expenditure by voice vote.
Next steps: County administrators said they will follow up with the regional jail director for more details about the inmate breakdown and will continue conversations with neighboring localities and the state about responsibility and billing practices.
