FRANKLIN, LA - After learning of a third straight year with a deficit in the jail operating fund, the St. Mary Parish Council wants to form a committee to address the issue.

The council received its audit Wednesday from Guy Pitts, certified public accountant of Pitts & Matte. During his presentation of the audit, Pitts highlighted the deficit in the jail operating fund as a significant item of consideration for the council.

According to figures provided by Pitts, operating costs, including debt for the jail, in 2003 were $1,410,000. With revenues of $1,142,000, there was a $268,000 deficit. In 2004, total costs were $1,494,000 with $1,116,000 in revenues, leaving a shortfall of $378,000. Figures from 2005 show $1,479,000 in total costs and $1,201,000 in revenues. The shortfall for 2005 is $278,000.

“I'd like to put a committee together, I'd be more than willing to sit on that, with a few people to put direction together as far as where we're going to go with the facilities we have now, basically, how we are going to continue funding it,” said Councilman Chuck Walters. “Three years in a row, we've had a deficit and it doesn't look like it's getting better.”

The council also wants to know why the seventh-floor jail at the St. Mary Parish Courthouse has not opened. Renovations totaling about $1 million were made to the jail, which has 120 beds, since the parish's 300-bed jail reached capacity.

“The sheriff has indicated to us that the cost to move in and operate the seventh-floor jail facility will be cost prohibitive based on his budget. That's the first reason. The second reason is he has problems like everyone else in hiring enough labor or jailers to work the shifts. It's a 24-hour deal you're talking about,” said St. Mary Parish Chief Administrative Officer Henry “Bo” LaGrange.

Currently, the parish is paying the city of Morgan City, the city of Patterson and the town of Berwick to house parish pre-trial prisoners.

“There's the school of thought that eventually when this is occupied, we would reduce the costs of what it costs to house prisoners in municipal jails, that would help in the deficit situation,” said LaGrange.

“We kind of sat on the fence for the last two years, and we need to get some direction and move one way or the other. The bottom line is we have a facility that's available, whether it be for juveniles, which we are looking at now. There are alternatives that are being looked for,” said Walters. “At this point in time, we've got to buck up and be responsible enough to do the right thing.”