Justice Committee approves sheriff agreements; sheriff outlines $73-a-day housing cost and staffing strains

The McLean County Justice Committee on an undisclosed November meeting date approved two sheriff's office agreements and heard a report on jail costs and staffing.

The committee approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Bloomington to use the city's police shooting range because the county lacks a dedicated range. Member Reeves moved for approval; Member Seabarth seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.

The committee also approved a public-performance licensing agreement with Swank Motion Pictures Inc., which the sheriff said is necessary for legally showing DVDs to groups of inmates. Member Reeves moved; Member Byrne seconded and the motion was approved by voice vote.

Sheriff (name given in the meeting) told the committee the county does not operate its own shooting range and that the Bloomington IGA is a continuation of a multi-year arrangement. On jail costs, the sheriff said housing inmates costs about $73 per inmate per day excluding medication and outside medical care. He said one inmate's medication cost was about $3,900 a month and that, for the cited period (roughly September through Nov. 7), the county spent about $48,326 on housing without medication and about $57,993.67 including medication.

The sheriff described placement delays for transfers to the Illinois Department of Corrections that have at times increased the county jail population, citing parole-board scheduling and other backlogs as contributing factors. He said the jail population briefly topped safe staffing ratios (he cited about 238 inmates at one point versus a preferred cap near 220–222), and he outlined ongoing efforts to press state authorities and make phone calls that helped reduce the backlog.

Committee members asked whether medication and medical visits are included in the $73 figure. Administrator Taylor clarified that $73 excludes medication, psychiatric visits, doctor and nursing visits; those are charged to a separate line item. Members also questioned whether the jail obtains medications through group purchasing: the sheriff said the county contracts with pharmacies via a bid process and seeks the best price available.

The sheriff reported the patrol division is currently full but the jail is short approximately six staff members due to recent resignations; testing for replacements was planned. The committee did not take further action beyond approving the two agreements and receiving the report.

The committee scheduled its next meeting for Jan. 7 at 4 p.m.