Hudson County defied an order from the state comptroller’s office and has approved a $13.5 million one-year contract for medical services at the county jail.
The Office of the State Comptroller issued a report last week that directed county officials to not move forward with a proposed contract with Wellpath — which has been providing medical services at the jail for nearly six years — stating that the contracts had been illegally awarded.
The county’s attorneys disagree, saying the county awarded the contract under the professional services exception. The state contends the contract must be put out for bid.