Oklahoma County Runs Under Budget
Feeding inmates, tending to their medical needs and a possibility that crime could increase this year were all topics Stephens County OK Sheriff Wayne McKinney shared with county commissioners this week, as reported by the Duncan Banner.
To feed a county inmate these days averages about $3.30 a day. McKinney told the commissioners that he’s hoping to reduce that to about $2.50 to $2.75 a day. In January, the budget for food and beverage was set at $15,725 and expenses came in at $4,600.25 under that allotted amount. The expenses totaled $11,124.75 for the month. McKinney told the commissioners there is a lot of work being done to control those expenses. One measure includes having a nutritionist so healthier meals are served and not so much “chicken fried steak.” … There were 10,092 meals prepared.
The Sheriff also discussed rising health care costs and how he is working to alleviate the problem.
Now those inmates will have to pay a $5 fee each time they visit a nurse and they will be charged for over-the-counter drugs, such as cold medicines, if they request them. McKinney hopes that will reduce some of those costs, which ultimately come out of taxpayers’ pockets. “It’s not our responsibility to supply them with those drugs,” he said. “Hopefully, this will curb those requests. That system is prime for abuse.”
Economic Issues, Food Services, Inmate Health Care, OK Stephens County
Recent Comments