Jackson County sets policy to split sheriff’s inmate room-and-board revenue 40/60

Jackson County supervisors on May 5 adopted two resolutions establishing how the county will handle room-and-board revenue from out-of-county inmates housed in the county jail.

Auditor’s Office staff member Shelley and Chair Don Swanker presented the proposals. Shelley described the mechanism: the county will set aside 40% of the revenue for debt repayment/back pay and place 60% into a capital improvement-type reimbursement fund to offset sheriff office expenses. “Just so the public knows is we are deciding that we’re going to take 40% of the revenue and set it aside for debt… and 60% will go into the…CIP capital improvement project expense reimbursement fund,” Shelley said.

The board discussed how often transfers should be processed and agreed transfers should come before the board as formal motions rather than automatic allocations; Shelley said the county hopes to process transfers twice a year. Supervisor Mike Steinus and others emphasized that the intent is to use revenue, not taxpayer dollars, to cover these expenses.

The board moved to approve resolution 1181 (split of room-and-board revenue) and resolution 1182 (processing reimbursements) in separate motions; both motions passed by voice vote. The resolutions specify that transfers will be approved by formal motion of the board and routed through the auditor for auditing and certification before funds are used.