Whitlock Asks: Why Is City Not Paying County for Housing Inmates?

A discussion over the agreement between Toccoa and Stephens County regarding the county’s probation department leads to a discussion about the jail.

Tuesday, Stephens County Commissioners considered a motion to pay the city of Toccoa $23,859.66 under the intergovernmental agreement the two sides have over the county’s probation department.

Stephens County Administrator Phyllis Ayers said that under the probation agreement, at the end of the fiscal year, all of the fees and expenses are added up to determine each side’s share and this year, the county owed the city money.

Ayers noted some years the agreement works out differently.

However, it prompted Commissioner Debbie Whitlock to ask about the county jail and whether the city pays for housing inmates there.

“I say this with all due respect to the city,” said Whitlock. “We have to pay them this, but is the city paying the county for the inmates we house at the jail and if they are not, why are they not?”

Ayers said that the city is sent a bill by the county regarding the jail, but she says the county has never received payment from the city.

Commissioner Dennis Bell, who is the Police Chief in Comer, said Madison County charges municipalities in its county for housing inmates.

“In Madison County, we have to pay $35 a day,” said Bell. “The first 12 hours are free, but after that, it is $35 a day.”

Following the discussion, Commissioner Stanley London made a motion to table payment of the $23,859.66 to the city until the county commission could discuss the matter with both the Sheriff and the City Commission.

That motion to table passed unanimously.

County officials indicate that a joint meeting between the Toccoa City Commission and Stephens County Commission is planned for later this month.