Barton County commissioners say state should give more... - KOAM TV 7

Barton County commissioners say state should give more money for prisoners

The submission of Barton County's 2013 budget brings disappointment to county commissioners hoping to save their departments money.

Last week, with minutes to spare, officials with Barton County submitted their budget to the state auditor of Missouri.

The county remained in their budget but had to find a way to create revenue for the sheriff's department.

The state provides the counties a reimbursement of $19.58 per day to cover the living costs of prisoners at county facilities, but many think the reimbursement is not enough.

"At $30-$35, that would be a lot better than $19 dollars a day, and even that wouldn't cover everything but it would be a lot closer," says Barton County commissioner Mike Davis.

The 2013 budget audit is still being reviewed by state auditor Thomas Schweich and will be released in the near future.