Jessie Stensland reports from the Island County Commissioners’ board meeting of Wed., Nov. 5, 2025 for the Whidbey News-Times. Read the whole story.
Summary by Perplexity.ai
Island County jail inmates may lose hot breakfasts under a new food vendor contract due to a significant cost increase. Jail commander Jose Briones presented three options to commissioners: absorb the full 44% hike, switch to cold breakfasts for a 22% hike, or pursue a county-managed food program at a lower 9% increase. Cold breakfasts would offer the same calories and dietitian approval, but save costs by reducing kitchen hours. After discussion, commissioners leaned toward the cold breakfast plan, despite Commissioner Jill Johnson’s strong objections. Briones emphasized the jail’s food quality and inmate workers’ perks, stating hot lunch and dinner would remain.
They Said It
Commissioner Jill Johnson, the sole Republican, was adamantly against the idea… Johnson argued that people in the jail don’t have a lot to do and look forward to meals. She pointed out that the board approved additional staff members and spending during the ongoing budget process. She said she was willing to get rid of some of those positions so the county could afford the extra $108,000 a year for hot breakfast.
“We have an existing responsibility to this population. We don’t have a responsibility to provide the prosecutor with an investigator, but we did that,” she said, referring to a new position.
Exasperated, Bacon said they are still going to feed inmates 2,600 calories a day.
“They get a hot lunch. They get a hot dinner,” [Commissioner Melanie] Bacon said.
“Why don’t we just give them bread and water?” she asked, earning an “Oh jeez” from Bacon.
“I’m just a no,” she said. “I have a different value structure than my colleagues. They are voting to save the money. I’m voting for our responsibilities.”
