“This is something we’ve discussed before,” said Taylor Mayor Fay Hatch at last week’s town council meeting regarding the payment of Navajo County jail fees to the Town of Snowflake, which has paid the fees to Navajo County. “This is something we need to get settled. I discussed this with the mayor of Snowflake and they have been paying every month.”
Before the discussion concluded, the council agreed Taylor would pay its share of jail fees.
The fee is based on how many local prisoners are booked in the county jail, and Navajo County officials let Snowflake know that even with the changes in the contract for housing inmates, it is actually costing them money. “They cannot see changing this in the near future,” said Mayor Hatch.
Town Manager Eric Duthie pointed out that the majority of counties within the state have a jail fee, some have a jail district and some do not. He noted that Taylor’s portion of the monthly fee is 45 percent based on the intergovernmental agreement with Snowflake that outlines a 45-55 split for police services. Duthie said that nothing has been formalized, but in discussions with Snowflake officials it was felt that the split would be consistent with the agreement.
“I think it is unfair that this burden is placed on the incorporated areas of the county,” said the mayor.
“We’ve been round and round that issue,” said Town Attorney Sterling Solomon, noting that he and Winslow City Attorney Dale Patton have worked together and with other city attorneys looking into this issue. He said there is a legal case, but asked, “How much does it cost? How much justice do you want to pay for? Every other city in Navajo County has paid these.”
To date, Snowflake has paid $23,011.57 in fees, with Taylor’s 45 percent share totaling $10,355.20. The fee has been paid through a line item due to the loss of police officers, but at some point it could be more than is in the current budget.
“The police department has realized the issue and that it does cost money. They’re not turning a blind eye,” said Duthie, explaining there are certain offenses that require jailing.
Duthie pointed out that it’s not just a booking fee, but also a per day fee and per day medical fee.
He suggested that the council ask the administrative committee for the police department, which is made up of the mayors, vice mayors and town managers of the two towns, to formalize an agreement so this is not left for interpretation in the future.
Councilman Shawn Palmer suggested inmates be charged the fees, but it was noted that the $500 fee for a DUI arrest goes up to over $2,000 once other fees and surcharges are added, and that the collection rate in the Snowflake area is around 48 percent. “You deal with the reality of what you have,” said Duthie.
The sheriff’s office has done some incredible things to cut its costs, according to Duthie, but when a jail is operated, it requires a certain number of staff.
There was discussion on amending the intergovernmental agreement and whether the council wanted such an amendment to be retroactive.
Councilman Palmer moved to approve payments of the Navajo County jail fee charges to the Town of Snowflake for fiscal year 2012-13 contingent upon the amendment of the agreement between the two towns. Council members agreed that they should pay the invoice for the current fiscal year once an invoice is received, and the motion was amended to reflect that. The motion then passed unanimously.
Duthie noted that at the end of the fiscal year, both towns get together and figure income and expenses for the fiscal year.
