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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Jail Saves $26,000 by Cutting Out Kool Aide!

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Changes to the menu for inmates saved taxpayers in Rutherford County six figures, according to the sheriff.

Just by removing Kool-Aid from the menu, the county saved about $26,000 a year.

Inmates are losing out on coffee and the fixings, saving an estimated $26,000 a year, and cutting condiments like mustard, ketchup, salt, pepper and jelly saves close to $24,000.

"Nowhere in the guidelines do we have to offer coffee. Coffee is a want, not a need," said Sheriff Robert Arnold in a news release Monday.

Arnold also made some cost-saving substitutions such as fried bologna for bacon and bread instead of hot dog buns.

All together, these changes trimmed the budget by more than $111,000, and the sheriff said it's all in order with the state's dietary guidelines.

Inmates who still want coffee and cream or salt and pepper on their meals have to buy it themselves from the jail.

Arnold said he's still looking for other ways to slash the food budget.

"I take this budget seriously," said Arnold. "I treat it like it’s coming out of my pocket. We want to save every penny we can for the hardworking taxpayers of Rutherford County to be fiscally responsible."

There are more than 700 inmates at the detention center.

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