Need More Than Breakeven With Empty Jail Unit!

Proponents of opening the empty Sauk County jail unit argue that demand for jail space is high at the same time as they argue that we can’t negotiate a higher rent price or meaningful long term commitment from the renting counties. They also argue that we would be more able to negotiate a higher rent price after we opened the empty unit.

Among the proponents are the people who negotiated the only contract Sauk County has had to house Dane County inmates. The rental price before negotiations was $52 per inmate day. The price dropped to $47 per inmate day with the contract. Defenders of that contract point out that it requires Dane County to pay for 30 beds per day, used or not. This provision provides little benefit to Sauk County since Dane has used more than 30 beds most days (they pay $52 per bed over 30). This track record by proponents contradicts their claims and expectations. It will be interesting to see what they negotiate this time. Fortunately, negotiations for the empty unit are subject to approval by the entire county board.

Hiring at least 14-15 more employees (including an assistant Jail Administrator) and housing up to another 94 inmates is a major commitment that if done to "make money" (as proponents claim it will) ought to offer the up front potential to generate added income that exceeds added cost each year of rental operation even if operations are less smooth than projected. The income must also exceed start up costs in the first year and must cover the costs of closing the unit (unemployment etc) when the added costs exceed the added revenue. That should be considered the lowest breakeven amount. And we need to do better than have added income just breakeven with the lowest projected added cost for this kind of risk and responsibility.

Sincerely,

Tom Kriegl

Sauk County Board District 2