Washington County approves updated agreement to house Harrison County inmates

Washington County commissioners voted to approve an updated interlocal agreement that will allow the county jail to house up to 40 inmates from Harrison County and sets compensation at $52 per inmate per day through Dec. 31, 2026. The board approved placing the item on the agenda and then approved the agreement after staff outlined the contract changes.

County staff summarized the revisions, saying the agreement updates a nearly nine‑year‑old arrangement and keeps the maximum number of Harrison County inmates Washington County will accept at 40. The contract increases the per‑inmate daily compensation from $42 to $52, and it specifies that Harrison County is responsible for all medical expenses and inmate transport. Staff emphasized the county retains the right to accept or reject individual inmates if specific custody or security concerns arise.

Sheriff (speaker identified in the transcript as "Sheriff") asked the commissioners to consider splitting the money received from Harrison County: part to the general fund and part earmarked to the sheriff’s office for retention measures, such as one‑time stipends for jail staff or equipment purchases. The sheriff said such an arrangement is not uncommon and argued the additional funds could help address turnover in correctional staff, noting the sheriff’s office has about 20 corrections employees and that the jail currently has available capacity.

Staff provided a sample financial range for a short-term housing run: for 32 to 40 inmates for 90 days at $52 per day, the estimate in the presentation ranged roughly from $149,007.60 to $187,200. The staff presentation noted the county has 254 beds total and that the jail population that morning was 103 inmates; staff characterized the proposed housing as a soft reopening of a practice done in 2017 and said the county has handled similar arrangements with neighboring counties before.

A motion to approve the interlocal agreement was moved and seconded and the chair called for approval; the transcript records the board voting "Aye." The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally of individual votes or the exact vote count.

The agreement also specifies that Harrison County will bring commissary balances for its inmates, and that in emergency medical situations Washington County staff will provide immediate care and then seek reimbursement from Harrison County. The county will not be responsible for routine Harrison County inmate medical bills under the updated terms.

What happens next: the agreement takes effect upon approval by both Washington County and Harrison County commissioners and runs through 12/31/2026, per the terms described in the staff presentation. The sheriff asked the board to consider a revenue‑sharing arrangement; the transcript records the request but does not show a separate formal vote or policy change on revenue sharing in this meeting.