| ||||||||||
Dr. Ronald P. Rogers CHIROPRACTOR Support for your body's natural healing capabilities 270-384-5554 Click here for details 
 
Columbia Gas Dept. GAS LEAK or GAS SMELL Contact Numbers 24 hrs/ 365 days 270-384-2006 or 9-1-1 Call before you dig 
Visit ColumbiaMagazine's Directory of Churches Addresses, times, phone numbers and more for churches in Adair County Find Great Stuff in ColumbiaMagazine's Classified Ads Antiques, Help Wanted, Autos, Real Estate, Legal Notices, More... 
|
Bryant, Powell say to help Adair Jail contact leaders From Adair County Judge Executive Larry Russell Bryant Adair County Judge/Executive Larry Russell Bryant along with Adair County Jailer Buddy Powell is encouraging local citizens to support House Bill 557, a comprehensive jail reform measure that was one of the most talked-about bills during this week's Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association (KCJEA) Winter Conference. Judge Bryant attended the conference alongside county leaders from across the Commonwealth, where rising jail costs and the financial strain on counties dominated discussions. "Nearly every conversation I had at the conference came back to House Bill 557," Bryant said. "It affects every county in Kentucky, and it would be a tremendous benefit to Adair County taxpayers." House Bill 557 is designed to rebalance the relationship between the state and counties when it comes to housing state inmates. For years, counties have shouldered increasing jail costs while state reimbursement has failed to keep pace, forcing local governments to divert funding away from essential services like roads, equipment, and staffing. The bill would move Kentucky away from a flat per-diem reimbursement system and toward a contract-based model that pays counties the actual cost of housing state inmates. It would also make the state responsible for major medical expenses and maintenance medications for state inmates -- costs that currently fall on county budgets. One of the most important provisions of HB 557 addresses credit for time served. Under current law, counties may house felony defendants for months or even years prior to sentencing, yet receive no reimbursement when that time is credited toward a state sentence. HB 557 would correct that inequity by requiring the state to reimburse counties for those costs. The legislation also encourages voluntary regional jail cooperation by offering financial incentives to counties that form or expand regional jail authorities, helping smaller counties achieve long-term sustainability. Local jail officials are also voicing strong support. "This bill recognizes what counties have been dealing with for years," said Adair County Jailer Buddy Powell. "HB 557 would provide real relief and help ensure counties aren't unfairly carrying state responsibilities." Judge Bryant emphasized that the bill will require strong public support as it moves through the legislative process. "This is a heavy lift, but it's an important one," Bryant said. "I encourage everyone in Adair County to reach out to their legislators and state leaders and let them know you support House Bill 557." Contact State Leaders to Show Your Support: Governor Andy Beshear, Phone: (502) 564-2611, Website: governor.ky.gov Sen. Max Wise, Phone: (502) 564-8100, Email: Max.Wise@kylegislature.gov Rep. Amy Neighbors, Phone: (502) 564-8100, Email: Amy.Neighbors@kylegislature.gov This story was posted on 2026-02-16 10:04:50
Printable: this page is now automatically formatted for printing.
Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know.
More articles from topic Local Government:
Columbia-Adair EDA to meet Feb 18 Mark Twain storytelling festival coming soon Fiscal Court to meet Feb 12 Columbia City Council February 2026 report Personnel Committee to meet Feb 2 LIHEAP offers winter assistance - where to call Columbia City Council to meet Feb 2 Synergy plant closing operations in Columbia Circuit Court jury to report at 9amCT Thursday District Court under Judge Loy cancelled Wednesday View even more articles in topic Local Government |
 
115 Jamestown St. Columbia, KY. 270-384-2496 
 
  
 
 Provided by the Adair Co Fiscal Court and the Adair Co. Emergency Mgt. Agency 
|
||||||||
|
| ||||||||||
|
Quick Links to Popular Features
Looking for a story or picture? Try our Photo Archive or our Stories Archive for all the information that's appeared on ColumbiaMagazine.com. | ||||||||||
|
Contact us: Columbia Magazine and columbiamagazine.com are published by Linda Waggener and Pen Waggener, PO Box 906, Columbia, KY 42728. Please use our contact page, or send questions about technical issues with this site to webmaster@columbiamagazine.com. All logos and trademarks used on this site are property of their respective owners. All comments remain the property and responsibility of their posters, all articles and photos remain the property of their creators, and all the rest is copyright 1995-Present by Columbia Magazine. Privacy policy: use of this site requires no sharing of information. Voluntarily shared information may be published and made available to the public on this site and/or stored electronically. Anonymous submissions will be subject to additional verification. Cookies are not required to use our site. However, if you have cookies enabled in your web browser, some of our advertisers may use cookies for interest-based advertising across multiple domains. For more information about third-party advertising, visit the NAI web privacy site.
| ||||||||||
