Jail meals dish out savings for county coffers
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Jail meals was a hotly debated topic for more than a year in Carroll County. It was discussed and debated in both commissioners' and council meetings throughout 2006 when complaints and concerns from inmates and their families were many. County leaders took note of problems, which seemed to be about the lack of information concerning exactly what the cost was to provide the meals. They resolved to find a solution.

That solution came by restructuring how the program was administered by newly-elected sheriff Tony Burns. All sheriffs before Burns were paid a fixed amount by the state for each meal served. If the sheriff could provide the meals for less than the state paid, they were allowed to pocket the difference. That difference supplemented the sheriffs' income, but sheriffs were not obligated to share information with the county about the amount of money they pocketed over the years.

That system changed in January 2007. Burns said commissioners and council members agreed to pay him 60 percent of the county prosecutor's salary, which is determined by the state. Burns purchases the food, implements the meals and submits receipts to the auditor for payment.

This was a risky proposition for the county and Burns because neither knew how much was spent in the actual cost of the food needed to feed inmates.

"This was one of the first things I wanted to tackle," Burns said. "And it's important for Carroll County citizens to know how it's working out."

Burns said he gives monthly expenditure reports to the county council to keep members informed about the financial impact of jail meals to the county. Burns reduced the budget appropriation for food from $54,000 to $45,000 in 2007, with the belief he would be saving the county a significant amount of money. The average per meal cost year-to-date is 83 cents. The state allowed $1.82 per meal in 2006.

According to Burns, the county spent $17,156.60 for food in the first six months of 2007. The projected amount for the year is $34,313.20, however that number is dependent upon variables, such as how many prisoners are fed in that time period and the unpredictable cost of goods. In contrast, the county spent $35,610.49 for the first six months in 2006. Total expenditure for jail meals in 2006 was $71,933.17.

"I'm very pleased with the cost savings," Burns said noting the reduction in cost.

"I have had zero complaints about the meals at the jail this year," council member Steve Ashby told the Comet.

"I believe the goal of the council was to know exactly how much money was being spent on jail meals," Burns concluded. "I think we are achieving that goal."