Lee County Looking to Cut Costs on Inmate Meals

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It’s budget season, and officials in Lee County may be looking to cut costs — on meals for inmates at the county jail.

WGEM reports that a potential cut in the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget could reduce costs from $3.50 per meal to $1.65 per meal. Sheriff Stacy Weber says he’s contemplating a change in vendors. Currently, they purchase meals from the maximum-security Iowa State Penitentiary.

Weber says changing vendors to the Correctional Food Service in Des Moines could reduce costs by more than half and save tax-payers up to $813,000 over five-years.

Weber says the number of inmates — and costs associated with holding them continues to rise in Lee County. He will take the idea to the Lee County Board of Supervisors before a final decision is made.