Branson, Taney County mulling jail-share deal

Branson and Taney County are considering an agreement allowing municipal prisoners to stay at the county jail at cost to the city.

The Branson Board of Aldermen last night approved a first reading of a bill to establish the partnership, according to a city news release.

Under the terms of the deal - which has backing by city and county law enforcement - Branson would pay $45 per day for each inmate held for over 24 hours at the Taney County Jail. Currently, municipal prisoners are sent to Branson Police Department holding cells, according to the board agenda.

Branson Director of Economic Development Garrett Anderson said the county jail can house up to 268, and its average daily prisoner count in 2015 has been 150. The Branson Police holding cells can take on a maximum of nine, he said.

The county would handle booking, fingerprinting and photos, bonding and other services, while the city would deliver prisoners to the jail.

“In an effort to reduce the time and cost associated with processing, feeding and housing arrestees, the Branson Police Department supports the proposed contractual agreement with the Taney County Sheriff’s Office for booking and housing of our municipal prisoners,” the agenda reads.

If approved by the board of aldermen at its next meeting Aug. 25, the ordinance would go into effect Oct. 1.

In Springfield, municipal prisoners being turned away from the Greene County Justice Center has caused a rift between the city and county.

In July, the city filed suit against the county, claiming the county violated an agreement requiring jail to take in municipal prisoners. The issue is worsened by a shortage of judges - Greene County’s criminal caseload currently is handled by three judges, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.