BERNALILLO COUNTY WANTS TO CHARGE THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE FOR INMATES THAT IT DROPS OFF AT THE METRO DETENTION CENTER. THE THINKING IS, MOST OF THE INMATES ARE THE CITY’S, SO IT SHOULD PAY UP. BUT COUNTY COMMISSIONER WAYNE JOHNSON DOESN’T LIKE THE IDEA.
HE SAYS IT WOULD HIT TAXPAYERS … NOT THE CITY. JOHNSON SAYS ALBUQUERQUE TAXPAYERS ARE ALSO BERNALILLO COUNTY RESIDENTS, AND ARE PAYING TAXES ON THE JAIL UNDER THE COUNTY. HE SAYS THE PROPOSAL WOULD HAVE THOSE TAXPAYERS PAYING DOUBLE.
JOHNSON SAYS HE FAVORS CUTTING BACK ON STAFF AT THE M-D-C TO SAVE MONEY…SINCE THE JAIL HOUSES ALMOST A THOUSAND FEWER INMATES THAN IT DID A FEW YEARS AGO.
