Olmsted County Quadruples Detention Fees for Dodge County

The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners approved a steep increase in daily fees charged to Dodge County for housing detainees in the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center. Effective January 1, the rate will rise from $75 to $323 per day per detainee.

Commissioner Gregg Wright and other supporters argued the hike is necessary to reflect actual operating costs, which average over $300 per day. Mark Thein and Wright maintained that the increase prevents Olmsted County taxpayers from subsidizing another jurisdiction.

Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson and Commissioner Bob Hopkins opposed the decision, arguing that most detention expenses are fixed regardless of the number of Dodge County detainees. Torgerson proposed a more modest increase to $100, a figure he stated was supported by Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose. Hopkins warned that the decision could fray the inter-county partnership.

Legal questions remain regarding whether the board possesses the statutory authority to override rates typically negotiated through the Minnesota Sheriff's Association, specifically whether such authority applies only to sentenced detainees or all detainees.