Local taxpayers across Indiana are covering a nearly $13 million shortfall from the state, as county jails are forced to foot the bill for housing state-sentenced offenders without reimbursement.
The Indiana Department of Correction has confirmed it owes a total of $12.7 million to counties after exhausting its appropriation earlier this year, but says a plan is in place to begin repayments in the coming weeks.
The issue has strained budgets statewide, forcing local officials to divert property and income tax revenue to cover expenses that belong to the state.
The debt is most severe in Elkhart County, which is owed $1 million, followed by Allen and Marion counties.
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