Commissioners back pre-trial services by supplementing benefits shortfall

Court services presented an overview of 2026 grant awards and asked commissioners to continue supplementing a benefits shortfall for pre-trial services; the board agreed to support the request.

Alyssa Stevenson told commissioners that the pre-trial services grant for 2026 totals $268,531 and covers three full-time probation officers and program costs. She said the grant does not fully cover employee benefits; county commissioners historically covered the shortfall and this year's anticipated deficit for benefits is about $17,842.24. "Because the salaries were already secured, the commissioners have always agreed to pick up the remaining balance of the benefits," Stevenson said while describing the grant structure.

Stevenson also summarized several other grants administered through court services and community corrections, including a Justice Partners grant ($39,686), a drug court grant ($27,500), a mental health court grant ($56,986) and a large community corrections supervision grant ($969,961). Taken together, she said the total grants flowing through court services and community corrections for 2026 are approximately $1,662,906.

Commissioners voted to support the pre-trial grant application and to continue supplementing benefits in a similar fashion as prior years (motion from Commissioner Stewart, second from Commissioner Poling). The item will also be presented at the council meeting because the grant includes salary and benefits.