Douglas County inmate housing rate rises to $80 per day in proposed city renewal; council places agreement on consent agenda

Mayor Pro Tem Terry Miller introduced an intergovernmental item May 14 for renewal of the inmate housing agreement with Douglas County, which provides housing, custody and routine medical care for city prisoners. Deputy Chief J.R. Davidson explained the chief change in the current agreement is a per‑diem increase: the cost per day per prisoner rose from $60 to $80. Davidson said the county had initially sought $120 but the parties negotiated to $80.

Council members sought clarifications about whether the change affects service delivery and how emergency medical costs are treated. Davidson said routine medical care is included in the per‑diem; emergency or non‑routine care is billed separately to the city as incurred. Councilwoman Terry Miller asked whether inmates can be required to pay for their own stay; Davidson said it is not legal to impose such a fee and these daily charges apply only to city prisoners booked into municipal custody for city‑court matters.

With those clarifications, council members agreed to place the agreement on the consent agenda for formal approval at the May 18 voting meeting.