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Commissioners discuss county funding for indigent ankle monitors as corrections seeks short-term help
Summary
County corrections staff asked commissioners to create a budget line to cover indigent defendants' costs for GPS/ankle-monitoring (hookup fee $57 plus $7/day). Commissioners signaled support for a short-term fix for 2026 and directed staff to research long-term budget placement for 2027.
County corrections staff asked the board to consider creating an indigent fund so defendants ordered to wear GPS ankle monitors would not remain jailed solely because they cannot pay hookup or daily monitoring fees.
Presenters explained the hookup fee is currently $57 plus $7 per day and noted one indigent participant on supervision already. Staff estimated $3,000 to cover remaining 2026 costs and about $5,000 for a full year of indigent needs, and said the judge makes determinations of who receives monitoring. Commissioners expressed support for helping the individual through the end of the year but asked staff to work with counsel and community corrections to determine the appropriate budget line for 2027. "If you work with Tony to figure out where the right line is on the budget and get it funded," the chair said, "we've got our support."
