"The more folks we put in jail the more we inherit their behavior and health problems. We're responsible to care for them," County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine said asking for a $100,000 medical inmate appropriation from the county council Thursday.

The inmate medical account balance is $162.33. The fund's balance began at $170,000. The request was approved.

Rovenstine said the local hospital charges the county the "regular" rates for prisoner care. They are not offered a discount. Bills for prisoners from the department of corrections are reimbursed and deposited in the general fund as well as medical bills for Delaware County prisoners, which are paid by that county.

The sheriff said several counties have contracted medical service for their jail populations. He has seen presentations from two companies.

Prisoners are supposed to pay for their own health care. However, when they are sentenced to jail they lose their income and insurance policy cancellations follow soon after that.

"That's why work release works so well," the sheriff said referring to the optional incarceration program where prisoners go to their jobs and return to the work release center to serve their sentences in their off hours.

Coroner John Sadler requested an additional $13,380 to pay for autopsies. He said each procedure costs the county $1,015. The budgeted $30,000 has been spent with other invoices outstanding. He said 28 autopsies have been ordered by the coroner's office this year.

Jane Greene of the Cardinal Center approached the board regarding a $50,000 Office of Rural Affairs planning grant. The county commissioners gave a favorable review of the application to design an upgrade of the organization's heating and air conditioning system. The Cardinal Center will provide the 10 percent matching money.

Greene said the center plans to ask for the maximum funds for the improvements - $500,000. Estimates for the HVAC are $350,000. New carpeting, window treatments and the like also will be made in the final grant application.

The board also:

• Approved a transfer for the highway department in the amount of $3,015 from group insurance to unemployment and for the clerk's office in the amount of $500 from part-time to deputy clerk.

• Transfers requested by the commissioners were: $8,000 from part time to unemployment: $4,001 from part time to property liability; $4,362 from part-time for examination of records; $45,000 from Social Security to telephone; $50,054 from retirement contributions to inmates and institutions.

• Approved a request by the sheriff's department to create a "Natural Disaster" Relief Fund."

• Reappointed Rebecca Lehman to the Nappanee Public Library Board.

• Increased mileage rates from 34 cents to 40 cents.

• Heard from auditor Sue Ann Mitchell county option income tax revenue will be $4.1 million, up from $3.009 million and economic development income tax revenue will be $3 million, up from $2.5 million.

County council members are Harold Jones, Charlene Knispel, Tom Anglin, Larry Teghtmeyer, Bob Sanders and Brad Tandy. John Kinsey was absent. [[In-content Ad]]