QC looks at detention center budget needs

The budget and Ordinance 93-15 committees of the Carroll County Quorum Court focused on operation on the county's new detention center, under construction on Hailey Road, during separate meetings on July 27.

During the budget committee meeting, County Judge Mike Botelho presented a budget, estimating that $1,380,000 would be raised from the Jail Sales Tax in 2004, with $504,000 ear-marked for debt reduction and the balance available for jail operations.

Sheriff Chuck Medford presented a budget outlining three different scenarios calling for different manning levels. The committee focused on the plan that called for a total of 24 employees.

The committee will review both Botelho's budget proposal and that of the sheriff and further address the subject in a meeting some time in August.

The 93-15 committee, named for the 1993 county ordinance setting fees to be paid by cities in the county for housing prisoners in the jail, reviewed a proposed ordinance which would exempt Berryville, Green Forest and Eureka Springs from paying for prisoner maintenance once the new detention center is open and operating.

Chairman Ken Drezenski stated the amendment was to show the county's intentions to the cities in the hope of gaining full cooperation.

Botelho said the ordinance would assure the cities that the county would honor apparent commitments made by former county judge, now state representative, Phil Jackson, when the jail sales tax issue was being debated and voted on.

The ordinance will be considered at the Aug. 12 meeting of the quorum court. Three readings and votes, at different meetings, will be required before it can take effect.

The county intends to establish and charge a fee for care, housing and feeding of prisoners of governmental and law enforcement agencies, other than those of the county's three police departments.

Cities will be required to pay of fees for prisoners housed until the jail is in operation. Medical costs of prisoners shall remain the responsibility of the respective city.

On Friday, members of the quorum court, and other citizens, toured the facility, which has changed markedly in the past month.

Among other features, justices of the peace were able to see the central intake area, exercise area, trusty cells, the kitchen, and the women's unit.

They also toured a section on the northeast side of the detention center which could house up to about than 30 persons, but will likely not be funded for operation in 2005.