Rising costs are affecting one eastern Kentucky jail.

Now some officials say county projects are suffering. Almost all property taxes in Johnson County are going to pay for the inmates in jail. County officials say that's money they'd rather spend on county projects to help others but there is little relief in the near future.

Hundreds of inmates are held in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, but taxpayers are footing part of the bill. Johnson County Judge-Executive Tucker Daniel says property owners are paying to house inmates.

“Almost every single penny that we get in property taxes goes towards our jail costs,” Daniel said.

He says they recently collected $500,000 in property taxes and almost all went to pay for the inmates.

“A lot of our citizens, unfortunately, may not be faring as well. I mean, these guys are guaranteed medical care. We’ve got a lot of citizens who don't have medical insurance,” Daniel said.

The state mandates county's pay for inmates' medical care and Daniel says that's where most of the money goes.

“We have to take care of these people and that's one of the fastest, rising costs we've faced, and there's not a lot you can do,” Daniel said.

He says officials at Paul B. Hall hospital are offering reduced costs to help. Health care isn't the only issue. Rising costs for food and energy hurts, too. Utility bills increased almost $10,000 a month just in the last year.

“We're trying to find anything we can to keep these costs down,” Daniel said.

Daniel hopes to see relief, because he says this is taking money away from other projects like roads, education, and recreation.

”As long as we're paying expenses out in jail costs, those other services have to suffer a little bit,” Daniel said.

It’s something he hopes can change. Daniel says district judges are trying to sentence non-violent offenders to home incarceration to help reduce jail costs. They’re also asking legislators for more financial help.