Jailer and sheriff outline jail costs, collections and gaps in federal reimbursement

County jailer Jay Close presented the jail’s quarterly report and highlighted several fiscal pressures and program questions.

Close said the county’s inmate‑housing cost for the quarter was a little over $33,000 and discussed a large Mazeville Hospital bill that had been negotiated down. He explained that county responsibility for pre‑trial felony costs currently leaves the county unable to recover those expenses unless state reimbursement provisions change: “it’s just what it is… it’s a county inmate. Misdemeanor charges, no felony charges… so the entire time they're there, we're responsible 100%,” Close said.

Close and other magistrates discussed a proposed inmate work program being piloted in Germantown; Close said court members could invite Germantown’s mayor to explain the program so Bracken County could consider whether to pursue a similar approach after July 1.

Sheriff Booty delivered the sheriff’s quarterly numbers: year‑to‑date receipts of $254,767, expenditures of $168,831 and a current bank balance of about $85,000. He reported tax collection at 98.7%, totaling about $5,253,000, with an outstanding balance of $69,819. On a question about a referenced $100,000 federal grant, the sheriff said federal agencies had not provided a way for local agencies to receive reimbursement and that, to be eligible, a county must be an active participant in enforcement details.

Both quarterly reports were approved by motion and roll‑call vote. Court members discussed continued work to identify revenue and program options to reduce jail costs and pursue possible reimbursements or partnerships.