Warren County Regional Jail budget proposal asks for more county assistance

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Due to increasing costs, the Warren County Regional Jail needs extra funds for operating.

Cost of living adjustments for staff and medical expenses for inmates are the biggest drivers for the increase in the proposal, estimating for just over $6 million for personnel and right at $2 million for medical expenses.

The jail is asking for Warren County Fiscal Court’s assistance to go up by 4%, which jailer Stephen Harmon said he isn’t happy about but deems necessary to continue to take care of jail staff and inmates, taking on 29% of the jail’s budget.

Warren County Regional Jail expects the budget for fiscal year 2025 to 2026 be at $12.9 million in lieu of additional funds coming from housing state and federal employees, which is up from the previous year’s $11.9 million budget.