It's going to cost $25 for the privilege of being booked into jail in Ramsey County starting in October.
County commissioners unanimously approved the fee on Tuesday, and it marks the first time the county has charged people for booking.
The money is intended to cover the costs of booking an inmate, including employee salaries and equipment. The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office estimates that it actually costs $36 to book a person, but is following a $25 maximum guideline suggested by the Minnesota Sheriff's Association.
The fee wouldn't be charged to those who are booked and released, federal inmates or other boarded inmates.
It would be repaid to inmates who weren't formally charged, were acquitted or had the charges dismissed.
The county books about 27,000 inmates per year, and county officials expect about two-thirds of those would be charged the fee.
CHRIS HAVENS
