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Sheriff warns of rising jail medical costs amid new standards; proposes nurse contract and water-rescue funding
Summary
The sheriff's office said jail revenues have declined while new state jail medical standards will require a contracted nurse (~$150,000 for 20 hours/week). The office also proposed redirecting Northern Water revenue toward a Headwaters water-rescue boat and training.
Sheriff Brett Shroldwin told commissioners that statutory and judicial changes have reduced revenue streams tied to jail operations and increased medical and service costs. He said the office must comply with new jail standards and proposed a contracted nurse at roughly $150,000 for 20 hours per week to meet required medical screenings and telehealth needs.
"It's $150,000 for 20 hours a week, jail nurse position," the sheriff said, describing vendor pricing and telehealth options that could reduce unnecessary hospital transports. He warned commissioners that waived fees and state policy changes have cut revenue that previously offset some jail costs.
In a separate but related public-safety item, the sheriff outlined a Headwaters Water Rescue authority proposal to pool partner contributions for equipment and training. He proposed using $30,000 of Northern Water contract revenue as the county's contribution toward purchasing a rescue boat and equipment for the authority. Commissioners requested the county bookkeeping be corrected (the boat contribution was shown twice in the draft budget) and asked staff to move the boat funding to the authority's line so the county's payment would be a single check to the authority.
