The Fayette County Commissioners approved an annual agreement recently that allows the housing of Fayette County prisoners in the Highland County Justice Center as necessary.
It was moved by commissioners Dan Dean and seconded by Jack DeWeese — per the recommendation of Sheriff Vernon Stanforth — to enter into an agreement for the housing of county prisoners at a cost of $55 per prisoner, per day.
“This is an annual agreement we sign with Highland County at their request so that if we have to house any prisoners there, that is our first, default jail choice,” Stanforth said during an interview on Tuesday. “We don’t have anyone to house there, it is just a contract so that if we do, it is already in place. We use various other counties as well, all the surrounding counties. We all have a ‘gentlemen’s agreement,’ but if it was anything of real significance then Highland is our first choice.”
As per the agreement, Fayette County will be responsible for any ambulance fees. Additionally, they will be responsible for a $25 fee payable to Highland County for medical escort to and from the Highland District Hospital emergency room, and for all hospital care and services to county prisoners if necessary. The term of this agreement is Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2019.
The Fayette County Land Bank Board of Directors also met at the commissioners’ meeting. During the meeting there was discussion regarding closing costs for buyers and sellers and the need for the buyer to purchase title insurance. The properties that the Land Bank will be selling will have had a title search completed. It is the buyer’s option to purchase title insurance, and the administrator will provide personnel to explain purchase documents to potential buyers.
Also during the meeting, Rod Bryant presented a list of properties to the board of directors that are in various stages of the abatement process. He took time to outline the steps to be completed during the abatement process through the city, which includes sending notices, performing a lien check, passing an ordinance with the City of Washington Court House, and more.
The commissioners approved two amendments during their meeting. The first was an amendment to a purchase agreement with BSTP Midwest, LLC to extend the due diligence period agreement until Jan. 21, 2019 for the sale of about 7.12 acres in Octa. The second was an amended contract — per the request of Faye Williamson, director of Fayette County Department Job and Family Services — to provide placement and related services for children in the care and custody of the Fayette County Children Services, with the contract date of Feb. 1 through Dec. 31 of this year. The amended maximum payable under this contract is $90,000, and all other terms and conditions of the original agreement shall remain unchanged.
Stay with the Record-Herald weekly for more updates from the Fayette County Commissioners.
Reach Martin Graham at (740) 313-0351 or on Twitter @MartiTheNewsGuy.
