Press Release

Release: Extra effort from Sheriff's Office bringing in additional revenue

Added services lead to extra money coming into Montgomery County

FONDA - County Executive Matt Ossenfort announced Thursday that the Montgomery County Jail is bringing in additional revenue because of extra steps taken by Sheriff's Office. Over the past two months, the housing of federal inmates by the County has resulted in nearly $280,000.

"Sheriff Amato and Undersheriff Peter Vroman have done a great job generating additional revenue, at a time when the County can use every extra dollar earned to maximize services and keep costs reasonable for taxpayers," Ossenfort said. "I applaud the extra effort, especially from Undersheriff Vroman, who has utilized his resources as a retired U.S. marshal to help the County. I hope the Sheriff continues to think outside of the box."

Amato and his team generated $151,685 in the month of May, nearly covering the entire cost of maintaining the facility. The jail currently houses more than 45 federal inmates. Housing each federal inmate earns the County $115 per day, which translates in the neighborhood of $5,000 in additional daily revenue.

"I'm proud of my staff at the jail," Amato said. "This nontraditional way of thinking differently can go a long way when you add up the results. My jail staff, including civilians, have handled the work and dealt with the many issues that housing federal inmates generates very well."

Amato has also looked at other ways of generating revenue, including charging inmates, who want to watch television, the electric bill to cover that expense. Additionally, the jail has started selling extra sandwiches to inmates, a portion of the cost going to the County. In April alone, this process netted $1,157, more than 30 percent of which is remaining in Montgomery County. The Sheriff hopes to expand this program in the next few weeks, to increase revenues for the County.

Amato has used a portion of the additional revenue to make critical upgrades in his office to the Civil Service software, security cameras and to the fingerprinting system.