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Business focus group criticizes jail contract

By MICHAEL D. BATES | Hernando Today

Published: November 13, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - A business focus group says Hernando County "poorly negotiated" its recent contract with Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and "lacked ongoing oversight."
CCA operates and maintains the Hernando County Jail.
The committee recommends the county:
* Reduce the number of inmates by reducing the incarceration rate.
* Reduce the per diem rate of prisoner incarceration.
* Introduce an ankle-monitoring system at a cost of $20 per inmate a day.
The committee said the county or the sheriff should take over jail operations only if Hernando County can contract with federal officials for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees at a cost of no less than $57 per inmate a day.
The focus group has carved out time on Tuesday's county commission agenda to discuss the report. The business community will also release the findings of three other focus group reports, including technology services, land services and the county legal office.
The focus group report was signed by Blaise Ingoglia, chairman of the Hernando County Republican Executive Committee, and committee members Richard Matassa, Don Page and Chris Glover.
The business community formed these focus group committees to examine county department budgets. Members include representatives from the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, Hernando Builders Association, Hernando County Association of Realtors and Hernando Progress.
In September, county commissioners and CCA hammered out a two-year contract agreement expected to save the county an estimated $104,000 over previous terms.
Jail costs are now expected to be about $11.3 million, down from $11.4 million.
The county also won several concessions from the operator, including a reduction in the daily per diem rate from $59.46 to $53, which began Oct. 1.
The new contract, which expires in 2010, includes a 120-day opt-out clause for the county.
The county commission will meet at 9 a.m. today at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St., in downtown Brooksville.