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Administrator reports Johnson County inmates, bond-law change and generator dispute at county jail
Summary
Jackson County administrator Andrew Long said a July 1 law change has reduced magistrate discretion on bond, contributing to out-of-county inmates arriving from Johnson and Scott counties. The jail held 40 inmates (10 local, 8 Johnson, 22 Scott); the county charges $65/day for Johnson County inmates. Long also reported a billing dispute with the generator vendor (Altafor) over ownership and maintenance.
Jackson County Administrator Andrew Long gave a departmental update on July 14, warning that a recent change in state law that took effect July 1 will make it harder for magistrates and district judges to release certain arrestees on their own recognizance. "This took effect July 1," Long said, and described the change as removing discretion in many cases, meaning "any aggravated misdemeanor or felony has to be held on bond" and some repeat misdemeanors involving drugs or violence are also being held.
Long said the county currently holds 40 inmates: "10 of our own, 8 Johnson, and 22 Scott," and that the June average was 35. He estimated many of the newly detained cases could remain in custody for "probably 1 to 3 months" as they move through district court. Jackson County charges Johnson County $65 per day for housing those inmates; Long noted Scott County’s rate is $55 per day.
Long also reported a dispute with the company that manages the county’s backup generator (Altafor). He said the vendor billed the county several thousand dollars after the company brought the generator into service; Long said the county is disputing the bill on grounds the unit had not been transferred to county ownership and was not operating previously. Staff planned an on-site check to confirm the generator’s operation and to pursue resolution with the vendor.
Long raised a separate facilities issue: signage for the sheriff’s building. He asked the board whether to pursue a building-mounted sign or a ground pole, and whether to use capital improvement funds; board members asked staff to return with cost options and recommendations.
Long framed the increased out-of-county housing as both an operational challenge and a modest revenue source for the jail; he said the county’s fiscal year-to-date out-of-county revenue was "just short of 500,000" and cited $33,440 from Scott County for June.
