The Preston County Commission learned the daily cost to house an inmate in regional jail will increase next year at its regular meeting Tuesday.
County Administrator Kathy Mace said the county was notified that starting July 2022 the daily cost for jailing someone will increase from $48.25 To $54.13 per day. She wanted the commission to be aware of the increase as it starts to think about the next budget.
“I will say that looking at your budget right now, with however many months we’re into it, we’re still in good shape, you know, we anticipated $1 million. I can guarantee you cannot move off that number. And we’ll see that increase for budgeting purposes,” Mace said.
Commissioner Dave Price said based on the current budget the increase would add about $100,000 to the county’s jail bill.
Commission President Don Smith said, “As much as it pains me to have to pay an extra 12%, at least they’re giving us a little heads up instead of waiting until halfway into the fiscal year.”
The notice was at the request of the County Commissioners Association, Mace said.
Commissioners voted unanimously to establish the EMS Advisory Committee Tuesday.
The volunteer group, which includes Prosecutor James Shay, to provide legal advice; Tim Kelly, a CPA, for financial guidance; Dr. Marisa Downey, Dr. Fred Conley, county health officer, and Assistant Director of Preston OEM/E911 Justin Wolfe, has been meeting for several months already, Price said.
Price is serving on the board in a non-voting capacity. Two representatives from the Preston County Ambulance Association will also serve on the committee but have not yet been officially named.
“In order for them to really start being more aggressive with their work, they really need to be officially established,” Mace said.
The committee will provide advice to the Preston County Commission on the best uses for funds and ensure accountability for those funds. The committee will also work to standardize response times and work with EMS services to form a buying group to save money.
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