Supreme Court Takes Up Jail Fees Fight

West Virginia's counties should soon learn whether they must pay daily fees at the rate set by the state's regional jail authority for the inmates it houses for them.

As The Associated Press reports, the agency has appealed to the Supreme Court after it sought to compel Cabell County to pay the current rate, only to see a circuit judge rule in the county's favor.

Cabell County argues the authority relies on an unfair method for calculating fees, and that not enough of its board members were on hand when the last hike was approved.

A growing roster of counties has expressed concerns over the fees and the increasing portion of annual budgets they concern. The Parkersburg News reports on Ritchie County's handling of the issue, while The Journal of Martinsburg recently examined the impact of jail costs on Berkeley County's bottom line.

Others covering Wednesday's high court hearing include The Charleston Gazette.