For several years, Missouri has been behind in payments it owes to counties for housing inmates who end up going to state prison. At the end of the state budget year 2019, Missouri owed counties about 35-million-dollars in jail reimbursements. This year, the state Legislature passed, and the governor signed into law a state budget that eliminates the accumulated debt. Kevin Merritt, executive director of the Missouri Sheriffs Association, says he is pleased the state has wiped out the money it owes to counties in local jail stays.

 

Laclede County Sheriff David Millsap said the action by the legislature is long overdue.

 

The funds from the state total around $379,000 and will go into the county’s general revenue fund.