Athens-Clarke Co. spending more to house inmates

ATHENS - The Athens-Clarke County Commission is expected to approve increased spending to house jail inmates, using up most of the county's reserves.

Clarke County Sheriff Ira Edwards said he needs an additional $483,000 to relieve overcrowding at the Clarke County Jail. The money will be used to house inmates in other counties' jails.

The increase will bring the total spent this fiscal year to $2.4 million.

The expense will leave the government with only $113,000 in its emergency fund for the rest of the fiscal year ends June 30. Athens-Clarke Manager Alan Reddish said he does not expect to spend more money from the contingency fund.

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