Jail consultant to get additional payment

WICHITA — A consultant working to reduce the population of the Sedgwick County Jail will get an additional $28,511, county commissioners decided today.

Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve giving Justice Concepts Inc. the additional money for work performed outside the scope of its original contract.

Commissioners Dave Unruh and Tim Norton voted against the spending, saying they thought much of the work was covered by the contract.

Justice Concepts Inc. was hired to find ways to reduce the jail's population by 25 percent. Its contract with the county expired June 4. During the time of the contract, the jail's population increased. The company has yet to present all its recommendations to the county.

Commissioners on Nov. 19 will consider extending Justice Concepts' contract for 18 months at a cost of $228,530.

The original contract was for $124,616. So far, the company has been paid $78,449.