MORGANTOWN — The Monongalia County Commission allocated $2.25 million in its current spending plan to cover the cost of housing the county’s prisoners in the North Central Regional Jail.
But that number is going up.
During its regular weekly meeting, the commission acknowledged the per diem rate per prisoner is climbing from $48.25 to $54.13 — representing a jump of about 12%.
The increase will go into effect for the 2023 fiscal year, which starts July 1, 2022.
“Based off our current jail bill projections, it could be anywhere from a $216,000 to a $280,000 increase. So it’s nothing to take lightly, and we will take that into account as we’re going into our budget sessions,” Commission President Sean Sikora said.
In other news, the commission approved what Sikora called a “loose” budget for the $10,256,946 in American Rescue Plan Act funds the county has received thus far.
Of that amount, some $8.5 million is projected for water and sewer work, including a stormwater/sewer project at Popenoe Run and improvements to water and sewer infrastructure tied to the Morgantown Industrial Park expansion.
Further, Sikora said there is an additional sewer project forthcoming that has yet to be made public.
Additionally, $1.4 million has been set aside for capital outlays for initial infrastructure tied to broadband expansion.
Lastly, the commission approved a letter of support for harm reduction programs provided by Milan Puskar Health Right.
The letter is part of the additional requirements implemented on harm reduction programs by the West Virginia Legislature.
