The NORCOR budget committee unanimously recommended a budget for 2018-19 that essentially flat funds the regional jail.  Hood River County Commissioner Bob Benton, who represents the County on the NORCOR board, made the request to keep county subsidies of the jail the same as it has been for the last two years at $1.5 million, and if approved by the NORCOR board this fiscal plan will do that.  NORCOR administrator Bryan Brandenburg says the facility has had flat funding for the last four to five years, adding the counties cannot cut their way out of the jail’s budget problems.  He also presented alternate budget scenarios that showed even if inmate capacities were reduced with no contracts with other jurisdictions, county contributions would still need to go up a substantial amount.  Sherman County Commissioner Tom McCoy said he felt there was a 25 percent chance NORCOR will need to go back to the counties for more money.  The budget will now go to the NORCOR board for final approval.