Board approves $1.21M contract for JDC day-room safety upgrades; commissioners press for broader juvenile justice strategy

Facility Services requested and the board approved a best-value award to Dunlauer Construction for a $1,210,000 juvenile detention center day-room safety project that includes replacing damaged cabinets, adding secure closets and upgrading kitchen storage to reduce contraband.

Christy Duffy said the JDC was constructed "around 1990" and described 10 living units; Dave Dawson from Community Corrections said the facility is currently serving about 15 youth and the 2025 average daily population was 26. Commissioners supported necessary safety improvements but several—including Commissioner Connolly—expressed concern about investing $1.2 million in a partly underused, aging facility and called for a staff review and broader discussion about moving toward newer stabilization-center models.