Central Regional Juvenile Center presents 2026 budget; Clay County share projected to fall slightly

James, the presenter for the Central Regional Juvenile Center, presented the center’s proposed 2026 secure and nonsecure budgets to the Clay County Board of Commissioners on July 22.
James said the secure program operates under a cooperative service agreement among 11 counties and that Clay County’s share of the secure budget is projected to be slightly lower in 2026 than in 2025 because of usage patterns and nonmember revenue. He told commissioners Clay County’s usage remains about 30 percent and that substantial nonmember placements have helped drive down member costs.
On the secure side, James noted a proposed operating request “a shade over $800,000,” with projected nonmember income of roughly $2.1 million based on an expected 13 nonmember youth (the program recorded $2.4 million in 2024). He also said the board increased the nonmember per‑day rate for 2026 from $375 to $450 to remain competitive with nearby facilities and to generate revenue without exceeding peer rates.
On the nonsecure side, James described higher demand and placement challenges statewide, saying Minnesota has fewer placement options (for example, limited PRTFs and group-home capacity). He said Clay County’s nonsecure program is being used increasingly for Clay County youth, including a recently opened female program for which the center added four full-time staff. James said the nonsecure program’s total expenditures drive a levy requirement projected at about $2.0 million for 2026, up from $1.85 million in 2025.
Commissioners praised the center’s management and noted the advisory board and member counties had endorsed the proposed budget. The board received the presentation; no county vote to approve a change to Clay County’s levy was recorded at the meeting.