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Court approves first reading of $666,547 FY2027 jail budget; sets jailer salary at $62,977.72
Summary
Judge Bates presented the jail budget for first reading, noting a medical expense increase from $20,000 to $75,000 and a $75,000 LGEA transfer to balance the proposal; the Court also set the FY2027 jailer salary at $62,977.72.
The Henry County Fiscal Court approved the first reading of the FY2027 jail budget, which Judge/Executive Scott Bates presented with a total of $666,547 on March 17.
Bates said the proposed budget increase is driven primarily by higher medical costs for inmates, with the medical line rising from $20,000 to $75,000. He also said the Court plans to transfer $75,000 from Local Government Economic Assistance (LGEA) funds to make the budget work and noted one inmate currently has cancer with significant treatment costs.
Esquire Carl Tingle and other members discussed HB 557 and county concerns about inmate costs. Judge Bates said HB 557 is proposed to reimburse counties for inmate costs after 60 days and encouraged contacting legislators; "HB 557 will allow counties to be reimbursed for inmates after 60 days," he said. Bates also summarized the general problem: "When individuals break state laws, they are jailed but counties must pay for them." The Court carried the first reading and scheduled a second reading and further questions before final adoption.
