— CUMBERLAND — The Allegany County Detention Center projects a decrease of $450,000 in reimbursements for housing federal prisoners.
Lucky for the Allegany County Board of Commissioners, it’s not a hole detention center officials are asking the county to fill.
Assistant Administrator Lee Cutter asked the commissioners Thursday during a public budget hearing for $77,924 less in fiscal 2011 funding than what the agency is scheduled to receive this budget year, which ends June 30. That’s despite an expected loss of another $18,000 in fees collected from boarding state prisoners.
It’s perhaps one of the few issues where the commissioners and Sheriff David Goad, jail administrator, can agree. Goad and County Administrator David Eberly penned a letter to U.S. Marshal Johnny L. Hughes in Baltimore. The letter, sent Tuesday, asked Hughes to reconsider sending federal inmates to the state’s correctional system.
“If we were able to sustain a population of at least 20 federal inmates during the year, the county could avoid the potential closing of a portion of our facility,” Eberly and Goad wrote, “and offset the negative impact to other county operations.”
Goad said the jail currently has about 12 federal prisoners. Construction of a new detention pod in 2002 took into consideration input from the federal prison system, which indicated a need for additional beds. It was a winning situation for the county, officials said, because the revenue helped offset the county’s operational costs and helped to pay off the bonds needed to construct the facility.
Cutter said the office has tightened its figurative belt and expects to realize an estimated $85,000 in savings in 2011. Projections show a $50,000 decrease in electricity costs, a $25,000 decrease for gas heat and a total of $10,000 less for water and housekeeping property maintenance.
There was more good news for the commissioners, who are tasked with approving a budget with the anticipation that state budget cuts to local governments will be forthcoming. Courtney Thomas, executive director of the Human Resources Development Commission, and Deputy Director Dan Lewellen asked the commissioners for an appropriation of $707,570 — the same amount that’s been approved for at least six straight years.
“We’ve done an awful lot to hold the line,” said Thomas, who noted that in this economic downturn, HRDC has served more clients than ever.
In sympathizing with the commissioners, Thomas outlined some of her agency’s own budget struggles. She said HRDC has accepted 1,279 new applications for energy assistance on top of the estimated 5,000 applications received in past years. Section 8 housing is a disaster, she said.
Combined, the city of Cumberland and Allegany County have 700 vouchers. There are 997 families on the waiting list. The last person on that list, Thomas said, can expect waiting about five more years before receiving a voucher.
“The money is very much needed,” Thomas said.
With a total budget of about $11 million, Thomas said HRDC impacted some 22,000 individuals in 2009, or about one out of every three residents.
Kevin Spradlin can be reached at kspradlin@times-news.com.
Local News
Detention Center losing $450,000 in federal funds
Commissioners, sheriff agree to request housing of federal inmates for reimbursement
- Local News
-
-
Maryland puts new Allegany High on drawing board
Allegany County Public School officials got the go-ahead from the state this week to start designing a new Allegany High School — a project many here have dreamed about for decades.
-
Man sentenced in Bel Air pharmacy robbery
A 21-year-old man charged in a 2011 drug store robbery faces the possibility of a long time in prison despite a sentence of one year and one day to serve in a Maryland prison.
-
RIDE OF THANKS
Riders taking part in the 2012 National Veterans Awareness Ride make their way into the Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery Friday.
-
City of Keyser now finds itself without payroll clerk
Yet another Keyser city employee has resigned citing a “hostile” work environment as the reason.
-
Smart utility meter ruling by PSC has no effect on Potomac Edison customers
A decision by the Maryland Public Service Commission, while affecting many electricity customers in the state, will not have a direct impact on Mountain Maryland.
-
Making reading materials neater
Ginny Wright, manager of the Allegany County Bookmobile, straightens up books while waiting on children at Hannah Plaza stop Tuesday afternoon.
-
Free fishing waters sought by state service
The Maryland Fisheries Service will soon begin a county-by-county look, seeking streams, rivers, ponds or lakes where anybody can fish without having a license.
-
FSU professor publishes book on newspaperman
When visitors to Colonial Williamsburg step into the Printing Office on Duke of Gloucester Street, they are entering the world of 18th-century printer William Parks.
-
Heading toward the top
This recent photo shows Claire Jarrell of Beckley scaling her way to the top of an 80-foot climb known as "Easily Flakey" at Fayette Station in the New River Gorge in Fayetteville, W,Va.
-
DelFest continues to roll at county’s fairgrounds
The fifth annual DelFest continues to roll at the Allegany County Fairgrounds.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Maryland puts new Allegany High on drawing board
