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Detention director says state funding lags as House bill fails to restore jail premiums
Summary
Hardin County Detention Center Director Josh Limbble told the county fiscal court that state funding to house state prisoners remains far below actual costs, and that House Bill 557 did not deliver the premium increase counties sought, though some programming and medical-cost provisions were advanced.
Josh Limbble, director of the Hardin County Detention Center, told the fiscal court on April 14 that the county continues to receive far less from the state for housing state prisoners than the actual cost of care. "We get $35.34 a day" for state prisoners, Limbble said, while he cited the state’s own recent figure of about $122 per day as the cost to house a prisoner in state facilities.
The discrepancy has strained the county’s budget, Limbble said, and a legislative push in House Bill 557 to increase the daily premium failed to secure the change lawmakers had hoped for. "House Bill 557 is pretty disappointing," he said, adding that a late-session removal of premium-language left the county without the funding relief it sought.
Nut graf: The report combined facility statistics and policy concerns. Limbble presented monthly operational figures — 462 intakes and 459 releases for the month reported, 9,762 inmate work hours, and 202.3 miles of county roads cleaned by inmate crews — and described modest legislative wins, including expanded programming funds and a requirement in the state budget language that the state pay medical costs for state prisoners.
Limbble said programming funds were increased statewide, noting that the state added $3 million for programming and that counties still receive about $400,000 a year in programming money which can be augmented by $1,000 for certain successful programming outcomes. "That helps," he said, "but it doesn't replace the premium increase we need to cover per-day housing costs."
The director described the practical effects of the funding gap: reduced reimbursement for state prisoners, increasing jail operating costs borne by the county, and continuing negotiations with the state on medical cost obligations. He also highlighted educational programs run in the facility, saying the jail graduated 17 GED recipients at one recent ceremony and that workforce training opportunities tied to regional KCTCS efforts are coming online.
Court members asked follow-up questions about programming and workforce training. Limbble said the county is positioned to host mobile vocational training (a proposed welding trailer) and already offers an in-jail metal shop that could be used for regional workforce courses.
Ending: Limbble’s report concluded with no formal action taken; the court did not adopt a local funding change at the meeting. He asked the court to remain engaged with state representatives as budget and veto actions continue, and to track expected changes in state policy that could affect premium reimbursements.
