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The Athens County Comissioners meet on Nov. 1 to discuss a new security camera system and load limits on roads.

County will soon be forced to house inmates formerly designated for state prisons

Taxpayers in Athens County may soon be forced to foot the bill for inmates charged with fourth and fifth degree felonies if a state senate bill passes in the legislature.

Under the new bill, offenders with fourth and fifth degree felonies would be housed by the county jails, like the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail, instead of state prisons. Fourth and fifth degree felonies include crimes such as drug offenses, breaking and entering or unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Athens County Commissioner Charlie Adkins and other county officials met with the Justice and Public Safety Committee in Columbus on Tuesday to convey their concerns about the bill. The meeting was attended by judges, prosecutors, wardens and commissioners from other counties. 

"(The Justice and Public Safety Committee meeting) was very educational ... but the bottom line is they're going to pass this," Adkins said after the County Commissioner meeting Thursday. "The legislators, I don't think, really care about what we thought."

Inmates housed at the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail cost the county about $62 a day, Adkins said. But if counties were to take in additional inmates from the state, the state would only be willing to reimburse for bedding, about half the cost. Additional medical fees would also not be reimbursed.

Adkins said although about 80 percent of those in attendance at the meeting seemed to oppose the policy, he believes the bill will likely pass.

Adkins was also concerned about the future of the bill, pointing out the state used to pay 100 percent of the public defender bill but has slowly scaled it back over the years, forcing the burden on the county.

Adkins said the only part of the bill he agreed with was the part of the bill that required counties to provide rehabilitation for inmates.

"There's no question the state has failed ... in rehabilitation," Adkins said. "They think that counties could do it better or local (governments). Well they're probably right for once. The more local you get, probably the better the rehabilitation will be delivered."

Adkins added the problem with counties providing rehabilitation was that it would come out of the money states will be paying counties, which isn't enough to begin with, forcing counties to pick up extra cost.

The commissioners also met with Lt. Aaron Maynard of the Athens County Sheriff's Office at their meeting Thursday.

Maynard sought the commissioner's approval to hire one or two additional 911 emergency operators, which was granted unanimously after a brief discussion.

The commissioners also approved a contract presented by County Planner Jessie Powers to pay Robson Complete Tree Service $6,000 to clear trees, allowing the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway to be extended past Holzer Clinic to County Road 24A.

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