State summit is sought on jail reimbursement
"This is an area we've got to come to agreement on," the Orem Republican said in explaining his vote against SB50. Valentine said the bill was just adding to the long-standing debate of what should be considered in setting the jail reimbursement rate.
"Jail reimbursement is one of those issues that's fought year in and year out," he said, calling for all of the stakeholders to sit down together to discuss it for the first time — including the courts.
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is already planning a summit, tentatively for June, his spokeswoman, Lisa Roskelley, said. "It's in the works," she said, adding that the state Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice "is working to bring all the parties together."
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Dave Thomas, R-South Weber, was approved by the Senate 27-1 and now goes to the House. Thomas said he agreed with the Senate leader that a summit was needed.
The current jail reimbursement rate paid to local jails is just more than $42, although Thomas' bill would enable the state to increase it by $2.50. Thomas said it costs about $60 to house inmates in state prisons.
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