Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Corrections Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners hear rising jail costs and $850,000 inmate medical estimate in budget workshop
Summary
Presenters said federal prisoner housing revenue has dropped while local incarcerations have increased costs; inmate medical expenses were budgeted at $850,000 and average daily inmate cost cited around $73, contributing to a larger budget shortfall.
County staff reported a sharp decline in federal prisoner housing revenue that historically provided significant net revenue; the county’s recent increase in local detainees means the county is now absorbing more incarceration costs. Staff said inmate medical costs are budgeted at $850,000 and showed a per-inmate cost calculation tied to an average daily cost cited in discussion.
Commissioners discussed longer-term case closures and expected changes in the coming year, but noted the short-term fiscal pressure. One commissioner said the county once averaged 100 federal prisoners and about $1 million in net annual revenue; staff said those revenues have not returned since the pandemic and that local long-term detainees have increased expenses on the county budget.
