Melody Kimbler

The meeting included introductions of new board members and the selection of a new chairman. Discussions covered the history of the jails, the current per-diem rate for housing inmates, and updates on the facilities' handling of the pandemic, PREA, the Marshal contract, and the GOALS program. The board also received briefings on previous litigation concerning the sewer system at the North Central Regional Jail and the town of West Union, and reviewed historical per-diem rates and a letter from the Department of Revenue regarding the average cost per inmate per day. The legislature's potential assistance with the per-diem was also discussed.

The meeting includes a financial briefing, discussion of county per diem and criminal court fees, per diem calculations, and the state's savings for counties. The agenda also covers bond reserve overview, necessary jail work, past fiscal year accomplishments, medical contracts, employment issues, goals, and the allocation of funds from a recently paid bond.

The meeting focused on selecting a new board chairman, with Tim McCormick being reappointed. A correction was added to the minutes of the previous meeting regarding the use of bond money, specifying its allocation towards regional jail repairs, correctional officer pay raises, and maintaining a low per diem. There was no new business discussed, and the next meeting was scheduled to be coordinated before January 2020.

The board reviewed revenue reports from cities/towns, counties, and federal sources (US Marshals and ICE). Discussion included the status of county payments for jail bills, and the process for retiring bonds and using bond revenue for jail facility repairs. The board also discussed the three-year cap on per diems, the cost of food and medical care for inmates, and the need to raise the per diem rate due to increased medical costs. The medical contract and the use of bond money were identified as topics for the next meeting.

The meeting included updates on the inmate population, a substance abuse pilot program, and upcoming bids for medical and dental contracts. Discussions also covered cost-saving measures in per diem costs through joint training at the Correctional Training Academy. An executive session was held to discuss personnel issues. The board discussed the use of bond money for future regional jail repairs after the bond debt is paid in 2022. The next board meeting location was changed to the WV Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation office.