VALPARAISO | With one of the county's jail funds on the verge of running out, Porter County Commissioners approved $150,000 of local income tax money to tide it over until a long-term solution can be found.
The jail fund, which covers expenditures such as salaries, merit pay, overtime and medical fees, will experience a significant shortfall this year due to a state decision to pull its inmates from the facility. Until February, the county was compensated about $35 per day for each state inmate it housed.
The state decided to stop using the Porter County Jail due to overcrowding, leaving the jail with a significant reduction of income. Although officials were uncertain the exact shortfall the department would face, Porter County Auditor Jim Kopp said it could be as high as $850,000 for the remainder of the year.
Porter County Sheriff Dave Lain discussed his shortfall this week with the Porter County Council.
"This always loomed as a possibility," Lain said. "I wish I had an answer for it."
The county still receives about $40 per day for each of about 30 federal inmates it has. There also may have been several one-time expenses last year unlikely to be incurred again this year, officials said.
Several council members agreed to meet with the department and determine what the exact shortfall will be. A solution for the remainder of the year will be decided on during the annual budget meetings in August.
Council member Karen Conover recommended looking into 12 hour workdays or opening the third, unused pod of the jail to free up space and continue to house state prisoners.
Council President Bob Poparad suggested curtailing all housing of state or federal inmates and only house local prisoners.
"We need to ask if it's in our best interest to house these prisoners," Poparad said.
Officials agreed to compile a cost-benefit analysis of the agreement.
Until a permanent solution is decided on, the jail fund has been granted $150,000 in unallocated funds from the County Economic Development Income Tax. Commissioners approved the move unanimously at a special meeting Thursday, with final approval pending from the County Council.
