Citing examples of high medical costs, rising operational expenses and a continued struggle to recruit and retain quality staff, county officials from four parts of the Commonwealth painted a bleak picture for state legislators Tuesday about the impact of jail costs on county governments in Kentucky.
At the September meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Local Government, KACo Director of Government Affairs Shellie Hampton explained that county jail expenditures, medical costs and transfers from county general funds to support jails have all increased dramatically since Fiscal Year 2019, making it difficult to craft a budget and fund other local needs.
Judge/executives Steve Henry of Webster County, Mike Mitchell of Knox County, Keith Taul of Hardin County and Magistrate Jacqalynn Riley of Grant County each emphasized that point with perspectives from their respective county:
“[Webster County] took in $1,009,000 in property tax last year. Of that $1 million, we transferred $512,000 out of the general fund to the jail,” Judge/Executive Steve Henry said. “We would have liked to have spent that on economic development, on housing, on all the issues that we’re facing, but we are statutorily obligated to make sure that we fund the jail.”
“We are really struggling to make ends meet,” Judge/Executive Mike Mitchell said. “The $3 million that [the fiscal court] will contribute this year comes directly out of our occupational tax. That hinders any economic development that we can do with those funds.”
“To try to get ahead of exploding jail budget deficits, [Hardin County] has raised property taxes each year by the maximum of 4% over the compensating rate … but it wasn’t enough,” Judge/Executive Keith Taul said. “So we expanded an industrial taxing district. These are things we had to do to try to balance our budget.”
“This situation didn’t happen overnight, and I recognize it’s not going to fix itself overnight,” said Magistrate Jacqalynn Riley. “We stand here willing and able to roll up our sleeves to look for solutions.”
- Click here to watch a recording of the legislative committee meeting.
- Click here to view KACo’s slide presentation.
- Click here to view Hardin County’s jail information.
County governments are responsible for the incarceration of all people charged with a crime in their jurisdiction, including alleged felony offenses that have not been adjudicated.
There are 77 jails in Kentucky while 43 counties contract with a neighboring county or a regional jail.
After sentencing, misdemeanor offenders and some felony offenders (also known as state inmates) remain in custody at the county jail. The state reimburses $35.34 a day ($33.19 for housing and $2.15 for medical costs) for each state inmate housed in a county jail that is either a parole violator, Class C felon, Class D felon, or is waiting to be transferred to a state facility.
The per diem reimbursement rate has not kept pace with inflation and actual jail operating costs.
KACo Board of Directors takes action
Tuesday’s committee meeting was not the first time county jails have been a topic of discussion for legislators or local leaders. The costs and sources of funding for housing inmates, building jail facilities, inmate programming and other related needs are perennial issues in Kentucky, dating back more than 40 years.
The KACo Board of Directors reviewed the history of county jail financials at its strategic planning meeting this summer and had in-depth discussions about possible solutions that would benefit all 120 counties.
The issue was brought forward again by KACo President Dan Mosley during the board's quarterly meeting Thursday. With a motion from Hardin County Jailer Josh Lindblom and a second by Whitley County Judge/Executive Pat White, the KACo Board voted unanimously to endorse the issue of reshaping the shared responsibility of county jails as KACo’s primary legislative priority for the 2026 legislative session.
The association will continue working with members and KACo’s affiliate organizations to craft a multi-pronged jail proposal.
Click here more information on county jails in Kentucky.
