Martin Hall gets request for $49,000 contract hike

Whitman County Commissioner Art Swannack Monday reported that the Martin Hall board is beginning to work on the 2014 budget. Swannack represents the county on the juvenile facility’s board.

He said the Community Council and Correctional Services staff requested an increase of $49,000 on its base contract because of the increased number of juvenile offenders in the hall.

Swannack also said the overall Martin budget likely will see a three percent increase.

Although Whitman County is far below its budgeted number of 912 juvenile offenders with just 240 housed so far this year, other counties and...