County considers changing jail fees

If the city of Newton chooses to have someone held at the Harvey County Detention Center, there’s a charge for it.

The fee is $22. The fee was raised from $18 in 2008.

But there is a chance the city, or other municipalities that house prisoners at the facility, would not pay the booking fee.

Currently, the fee is not assessed until the prisoner eats a meal.

“Most centers charge when they come in, not wait for a meal to be served,” said Harvey County Sheriff T. Walton.

Walton has asked the Harvey County Commission to change when charges begin to when someone is booked into the jail.

“How many do we miss on a book in, book out before a meal,” commissioner Chip Westfall asked.

Walton did not have those numbers with him Monday morning, however did tell The Newton Kansan that during a three-month period ending in February 157 inmates were booked and then released with no booking fees.

The commission agrees with the change in principal but wanted to wait before making any changes to the billing practice.

“I wonder if you should go to the council of governments, so we’re not catching anyone short,” Westfall said.

While the fee would not increase, it is possible some cities would pay more on a monthly basis if the change is made.

The commission briefly discussed the $22 fee, which is between $10 and $15 below other jail booking fees.

However, the board chose not to consider raising the fee at this time.

“Everyone helped pay for that jail,” said Commissioner Marge Roberson. “If it’s not necessary to raise that fee, we shouldn’t because we’re lower than everyone else. However, in the future, if we need to raise the fees to make things work financially, I would be open to it then.”

Walton will attend the next council of governments meeting in May. The council is an informal group made up of mayors and city administrators that meets on a monthly basis.