The future of the Monroe County Jail is still uncertain following the regularly scheduled hearing of the Monroe County Fiscal Court last Thursday, December 15.

County Judge/Executive Tommy Willett and all the magistrates discussed options concerning how to pay for the additional jail personnel that is now mandated by the State of Kentucky, stipulating that all jails that have fewer than 80 beds are now required to have two full time deputy jailers on duty at all times, not including communications officers. Until this new requirement took effect, small jails were only required to have one full time deputy jailer on duty, not including communications officers. The addition of the extra personnel will increase the jail’s operating expense by approximately $80,000 per year.

Willett gave all the magistrates a report detailing the expenses and brief discussion followed concerning increasing the occupational tax rate, which is currently at 0.5 percent. At current levels, an increase to the tax of .25 percent will likely not cover all the increased expenses, Willett explained, and the court agreed to table the matter until all the members could study the report and meet again in special session to make a final decision.

Members of the court were adamant in explaining that a proposed tax increase is not something that they want to do, however, the state is forcing them into a corner where they really have no other option.

When Monroe County still had several factories operating there, the occupational tax generated enough revenue to cover the expenses incurred by the jail, Willett noted. Now that most of the factories are gone, there is still a shortfall in revenue and revenue will have to be generated by other means, he further explained. All members of the court agreed that they did not want to see the jail closed.