For More Information:
William R. Steinhaus
Dutchess County Executive
(845) 486-2000
countyexec@co.dutchess.ny.us
For Immediate Release
March 8, 2002
County Receives $1.862 Million State Reimbursement
Dutchess
County Executive William R. Steinhaus and Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian “Butch”
Anderson jointly announce they have signed and finalized an agreement with the
New York State Department of Correctional Services that will reimburse Dutchess
County taxpayers $1.862 million for housing “State Ready” prisoners and
adjudicated state parole violators at the Dutchess County Jail.
State
reimbursement has been $ 34 and $ 40 respectively, per day, per inmate while the
County’s actual daily jail costs have been in excess of $100 per day, per
inmate. The agreement reimburses the County retroactively for the difference
between the payment and the actual costs incurred from 1995 through 2000. While
some counties sued the state successfully for reimbursement, most counties
including Dutchess, sought to negotiate reimbursement through the New York State
Association of Counties (NYSAC).
The County
Executive said, “This is an issue I have been very involved with over recent
years as a member of the New York State Association of Counties Board of
Directors, past President of the New York State County Executive’s Association
and as the President Elect of the New York State Association of Counties. This
agreement ends our long effort to recoup Dutchess County tax dollars used to
house state prisoners in our county jail.” The Executive noted, “I would also
like to recognize the efforts of legislator Jim Hammond for helping to champion
this issue in the Dutchess County Legislature.
Dutchess
County Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson said, “Rather than suing the State, I
have applauded and joined in the efforts of our County Executive and the
legislators to negotiate this settlement of nearly $2 million. The retro
reimbursement through NYSAC has proven that the proper course of action was
taken by all parties involved in achieving the fair and substantial remedy that
we sought.”
The County Legislature budgeted $1.7 million for 2002 in anticipation that an agreement would be reached. County Executive Steinhaus said, “The additional $162,000 received through our negotiation of the agreement would be received as an unanticipated revenue and be available to reduce next year’s 2003 county tax levy.”
-end-