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County can now charge offenders for jail stayBy MaryHelen Swanson Beginning tomorrow, Aug. 1, Chisago County commissioners have the right to charge offenders a fee to stay in the county jail. At first thought, this would appear to be a Godsend for a county that is facing a growing jail population and increasing jail costs. But, as the county commissioners discussed the issue with local law enforcement officials last week, it became evident that it was not as simple as handing offenders a bill upon release from their cell. Jail administrator Gena Gruening said there would be advantages and disadvantages. ìHow much would you charge?î she asked. According to her, the process for enabling the county to charge a ìpay to stayî fee would be lengthy. She also noted that extra staff and computer software would be needed, adding to the expenses of the jail. Chief Deputy Sheriff Todd Rivard told the commissioners that the jail charges a $10 booking fee now and canít get half of the offenders to pay. And while the law allows for the county to waive the fee for hardships, Rivard asked how a hardship would be determined. Sheriff Randy Schwegman said he cannot see people willingly paying even a $20 per day charge. When asked by Commissioner Ben Montzka why they would not pay, Sheriff Schwegman said basically because they donít follow the rules. Board chairman Bob Vande Kamp said the concept was intriguing but that it would be premature to jump in and start charging for jail use. Dakota County has jumped in, however, and it is set to charge a $20 fee for bed and board. Under their plan, besides the normal booking charge and a $20 per day boarding fee, offenders could be charged a medical co-pay, a $200 fee for probation for felony/gross misdemeanors, a $175 fee for misdemeanors and a $125 fee for chemical dependency/domestic violence assessment. An additional cost would be a public defender co-pay charge of $28. Commissioner Tom Delaney suggested waiting to see what happens with Dakota and other counties that are prepared to start charging a fee. County Administrator Jim Thoreen agreed with the commissioners that the county needs to get more data from those experienced in charging a jail fee. It merits looking at, he said, but it needs to be worked out at the concept level first. He also cautioned the commissioners not to hold high expectations that the county will be funding jail operations this way. During the discussion, Commissioner Montzka moved to begin charging a $20 fee to those not indigent and bill them for it, going out for collections only after 30 days. His motion was to include charging for medical and dental charges not covered by their own individual sources. This motion died for lack of a second. Thereís a lot of groundwork to be covered, Vande Kamp said. Statewide the question on everyoneís mind is will the collection expense be worth the anticipated revenue. Administrator Thoreen said he would work with the sheriffís department to come up with something. Rivard informed the board that the four major metro counties are going to try charging a fee for a one-year period. Speaking for the department, Rivard said it was their recommendation to sit back and wait and see how they do. ©ECM Post Review |