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Council hears explanation of Valencia County $200 per‑day per‑inmate charge as county adds MAT and medical costs
Summary
A county official explained a proposed $200 per‑inmate per‑day charge to Valencia County detention and said total county costs (including medical and services) run about $900 per day; county medical contract costs rose to about $2.2 million and MAT services were cited as a major factor.
A county representative explained to the Rio Communities City Council why Valencia County is asking municipalities for $200 per day to house inmates. The official said that, when medical, counseling and other costs are included, the county’s actual cost per inmate is roughly $900 per day; by comparison the county’s medical contract rose to about $2.2 million this year from roughly $1.3 million previously.
The official linked much of the rise in costs to the implementation of medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) services required under recent law and described in‑jail counseling and intensive outpatient programming now available at the county facility. The official invited council members to visit the jail, noting classrooms and counseling services have been set up and expressing optimism that MAT will reduce recidivism.
Why it matters: an increased municipal per‑diem would raise the city’s detention costs and factor into local budgeting; the explanation provides context for the county’s request and the components driving the per‑day figure.
Councilors asked whether the charge applies across Valencia County and sought clarity on historical billing; the official said the $200 rate would apply countywide and that the county’s medical and operational costs justify the increase.
