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Complete Forecast for  Jul 24 2008

By ROY MAYNARD
Staff Writer

Smith County commissioners on Monday agreed to raise the fee they charge to area municipalities to house their prisoners. But first, they’ll analyze what the actual cost to the county is on a per-prisoner, per-day basis.

“Right now, the cities pay $35 a day,” Chief Deputy Bobby Garmon told commissioners. “But we’re paying $40 a day to transport people out.”

County Auditor Ann Wilson said the last time she calculated the per-diem cost, it was about $37.

“But that was Fiscal Year 2007,” she said. “We’ve had some increases, and we anticipate even more. I think $40 would barely cover what it costs us.”

The charge to the cities applies only to inmates being held on municipal court charges — generally class C misdemeanors. About 20 such inmates are booked in each day, Garmon says.

One problem, however, is that they’re often booked out very quickly. Ms. Wilson says that throws off the actual cost to the county.

“City prisoners generally are short-term,” she said. “And the reality is the short-termers cost more because there’s more handling involved with book-in, book-out.”

Commissioners voted unanimously to increase the fees charged to the cities of Tyler, Lindale, Whitehouse and others in the county. But they won’t just send a bill.

“We need to get those costs narrowed down, and send a letter out to the cities with a cost sheet, so they understand what they’re being billed for,” Commissioner JoAnn Fleming said. “What they’re getting for these rates are housing for their inmates is that the cities don’t have to build their own jails. It’s important that we show that we’re not making money off this.”

That letter should go out soon.

Other items approved on Monday include:

Payment of bills and payroll, transfers of funds, health claims and budget transfers and amendments.

Utility and pipeline installation requests.

Easements and plats.

Reinstating employment of Lana Fields.

Appointing members to the Smith County Transportation Advisory Committee board.

Tax sales.

Auction of old vehicles.

Contract for uniforms.

ETCOG agreement for the regional juvenile detention program and grant funding.

Canvassing the May 10 local option election.

Treasurer/auditor report for April.

Appointing a loan executive for United Way.