Juvenile detention director warns facility repairs limit capacity; board to review CIP bids

The juvenile detention director told the Board that aging infrastructure is constraining the facility’s ability to accept youth and that a suite of repairs is needed.

"I can't take more than 15 kids right now because ... we don't have enough bathrooms," the director said, explaining that nonfunctional toilets, shower valves and ventilation have effectively reduced the licensed capacity. He asked the Board to consider capital improvement bids for plumbing, flooring and a new camera system; the current camera architecture is outdated and not compatible with modern digital systems.

The director also described unpredictable state reimbursement as a budgeting challenge: he said reimbursements have fallen in recent years and described the allocation process as opaque, making annual planning difficult. He noted that out‑of‑state and contract placements provide revenue (citing typical per‑diem rates such as $250 per day for out‑of‑state placements) but said the facility cannot expand its census until repairs are completed.

Why it matters: The facility’s condition affects both public safety and county costs. Supervisors asked staff to produce more detailed CIP estimates and to provide bids for bathroom and camera repairs. The Board voted to receive the juvenile detention budget item and requested follow‑up material, including any quotes or bids that Kenny (maintenance/CIP staff) has already sent to county administration.