Webster County will soon be able to house an additional 24 inmates in its detention center and the cost to the county will be minimal.

During the Monday, July 26, meeting of Fiscal Court, Jailer Dorris Crowley presented a proposal to help alleviate the jail’s overcrowding situation that magistrates readily approved.

The plan involved simply purchasing more beds, mattresses and storage lockers and strategically placing them in the current 40-bed Restricted Custody Center (RCC).

“The RCC has enough square footage in it to add 24 beds,” said Crowley. “It’s been okayed by Frankfort and the certificate should be in the mail tomorrow.”

Crowley projected daily income from other counties to house 24 inmates in the additional beds would total $660.24 per day, giving the jail an additional $240,987.60 revenue per year.

Salaries and benefits for two additional full-time employees, along with food and utility expenses for the inmates would total approximately $103,880.

Estimated profit from the 24-bed addition is $137,107 per year, according to Crowley.

Initial expense for the bedding and needed storage lockers and drawers is $10,648.

During the court’s June 14 meeting, Crowley had asked the court to consider the possibility of expanding the RCC to handle the increasing inmate load. However, according to Crowley, Monday’s presentation would serve the same purpose.

“What we’re going to do is approximately the same thing as when we were talking about building onto the side and spend approximately $400,000 to do it,” said Crowley. “Now we can do it for $11,000.”

“The remodification of the facility to house more inmates would increase your income by $137,000?” asked Magistrate Richard Heady.

“Right,” replied Crowley.

“And it would decrease our contribution by that amount,” said Townsend.

“It will alleviate the overcrowding,” said Crowley. “And you make more money housing out-of-county inmates.”

Crowley stated the additional beds would be used for that purpose.

“You did a good job on this,” commented Magistrate Jerry Brown.

Magistrates unanimously approved the additional 24 beds. Crowley stated it would take approximately two to three weeks for the bedding and supplies to arrive.

In conjunction with the additional beds, Townsend stated the court would need to approve the hiring of two full-time employees to safely operate the jail.

Magistrates unanimously approved the recommendation.

In other jail-related business, Crowley requested an equipment fund be established for the jail.

County Attorney Clint Prow explained at times in court, a defendant who was plea bargaining would be ordered to pay a set amount to equipment funds of police departments involved in arresting the suspect.

However, when the crime committed was attempting to sneak contraband to inmates in the jail, officers from that facility were involved in the apprehension of the defendant. No fund was available to accept the amount ordered by the judge. Therefore, the jail was losing out on possible funding of necessary equipment.

Upon receiving Prow’s explanation, magistrates unanimously approved establishment of the jail’s equipment fund.

Under new business, GRADD Transportation Planner Gina Boaz addressed the court concerning state roads that might need to be added to the Transportation Department’s ‘unscheduled needs’ list.

Currently on the list are six projects on U.S. 41A, six projects on KY 132, three projects on KY 120, two projects on KY 138, and one project each on Kentucky highways 56, 283, 630, 983, and 9004.

“Most of the major roads are covered,” said Boaz.

Townsend stated Highway 370 from Sebree to Onton was in need of major upgrades and reconstruction. Heady stated a portion of Highway 143 going toward Blackford was also in need of attention.

Boaz stated the Transportation Department would be working on the list for a couple of months, so more roads could be added to the list as needed.

In other business the court:

•approved the second reading of the county’s administrative code. Included in the revised code was deletion of a statement prohibiting re-hiring of retired employees.

•agreed to hold a public hearing on Sept. 13 concerning acceptance of Daisy Drive, located four miles west of Slaughters, into the county road system.

It was noted the road had been built according to state specifications prior to being submitted for consideration.

•accepted $10,575 in surplus funds from County Attorney Clint Prow’s office in conjunction with the collection of bad checks.

Total amount of bad checks written to Webster County merchants and dealt with through Prow’s office was $107,440.

Prow stated in the last fiscal year his office had sent 967 notices for bad checks. No court proceeding was necessary on 517 checks; 503 bad checks were dealt with in court. Forty-nine cases were still pending.

•agreed to advertise for bids to replace a low water crossing outside Clay on Johnny Franklin Road over Crab Orchard Creek.

FEMA has approved the funding with 75 percent to be paid from federal funds, 12 percent to be paid from state funds, and 13 percent to be paid by the county.

•established an emergency ordinance prohibiting electioneering campaigning, soliciting, and signs within 300 feet of polling places within Webster County.

It was noted the state electioneering regulations had been struck down in federal court because of vague language. Therefore individual counties within the commonwealth have been establishing ordinances to prevent harassment of voters on election day.