Cells full at jail (02/17/2009)

It was a record-breaking weekend for the Jay County Jail.

Sheriff Ray Newton informed the Jay County Commissioners he had a record-high 78 people housed in the jail the weekend, highlighting the need for the upcoming expansion.

And with the record came the news that he'll likely be needing more money from the county to pay for housing, transport and overtime costs associated with those inmates.

"Right now we are packed and I can't take any more," Newton said, informing the commissioners that 62 inmates, all county detainees, were in the jail this morning. "I knew the county would go up but I never dreamed it would get this high."

The jail population is draining sheriff's department's funds, since Newton is already housing several inmates out of county at a cost of $35 a day and said he will likely ship more out in the coming week. Transportation costs have jumped too, since the nearest jail currently accepting new prisoners is in Henry County, about 50 miles away.

Newton said he will probably approach the county council next month to ask for more money for the jail budget.

While trying to trim some costs, the sheriff asked the commissioners if he should look into possible uses of national stimulus money for new officers. A component of the government stimulus package, which is expected to be signed by President Barack Obama today, will fund hiring of new police officers.

"This might be an opportunity to get new officers at no cost for three or four years," Newton said.

Commissioners' president Milo Miller Jr. was hesitant to support the option outright, considering the cost of supplying a new officer and then costs once the stimulus money expires - especially if state tax revenues drop during the next few years.

Commissioner Faron Parr, however, was more positive about the potential.

"If we can get an officer paid for three or four years, we can't pass that up," he said, adding that the money saved on overtime pay for officers would help cover the supply costs such as a new vehicle.

"We are understaffed and it's not getting better," agreed Newton, who said overtime costs for officers is now adding up due to an increased workload dictated by the legal system. "It's not like back in the old days. They're wanting so much."

The commissioners advised Newton to find more information on the availability of stimulus money for further consideration.

In other business this morning, the commissioners:

•Spoke with Steve Ford about a culvert installation on county road 1150 West near Ind. 67 in Richland Township. Ford said a driveway in the area is damming up water onto a field and he is planning to install a culvert under the drive to get water moving. The commissioners told Ford to hold off and they would speak with the highway department about the matter.

The commissioners later spoke with county engineer Dan Watson about the situation, who said he was familiar with the area but wasn't sure installing new drainage infrastructure would help, since the slope of the land will likely just move the water until it floods somewhere else.

Watson said he will get in touch with Ford and work on a solution.

•Signed a petition asking the City of Portland to vacate the alley running between the Jay County Jail and expansion site. The Portland City Council already approved the measure and the petition is an official step to complete the process.

•Made Newton purchasing agent to buy two radios for new department vehicles.[[In-content Ad]]