Thursday, September 12, 2024
The Hood County Commissioners Court unanimously voted last week to transfer an additional $400,000 from Fund 55 to cover the out-of-county inmate costs through the remainder of the fiscal year.
Last month, Sheriff Roger Deeds requested $800,000, estimating that amount would be necessary to manage the growing financial burden of housing inmates in other counties.
However, Precinct 2 Commissioner Nannette Samuelson — after analyzing the inmate numbers and associated costs — projected that approximately $384,000 would be needed.
Despite differing views from Hood County Judge Ron Massingill and Precinct 3 Commissioner Jack Wilson who supported the full $800,000 request, the court approved a $400,000 transfer July 9.
“If you need any more, Sheriff, you're just going to have to come back,” Massingill remarked at the time — and that's precisely what Deeds did.
During a regularly scheduled meeting Aug. 13, Deeds presented an out-of-county inmate cost breakdown for the counties of Erath, Somervell and Johnson, during the months of April, May and June.
Over the past three months, out-of-county inmate costs have totaled:
According to Deeds’ calculations, after paying these expenses, the remaining budget stands at $145,802.50. With an average monthly cost of $160,315, he calculated the projected need for the rest of the fiscal year is approximately $335,139.50. To cover this shortfall and ensure adequate funding, he requested an additional $355,000.
“After I came to court a month ago and asked for $800,000, we got $400,000, and within a week we spent $127,000," Deeds explained to the court Aug. 13. “We're pretty much out of money, and we still have August bills and September to go. I don't think we can even pay all of last month's bills when they all come in, so we're trying to figure it out.”
Deeds explained he would be good with a $400,000 allocation and explained the urgent need is mainly due to the high number of female inmates.
With 63 females in the system and only 20 spaces available locally, Deeds said the county is relying on Johnson County for additional housing at a rate of $100 per day, making it a particularly expensive option.
“You know, if we don’t use it all, then you get it back,” he added. “It goes back into the general fund.”
Wilson then made a motion to transfer $400,000 from Fund 55 to cover the out-of-county inmate costs through the remainder of the fiscal year.
Following a second by Precinct 1 Commissioner Kevin Andrews, the motion passed unanimously.
