Board discusses rejoining Central Iowa Juvenile Detention but stops short of committing to $10,630 rejoin fee

The Mitchell County Board of Supervisors revisited whether to rejoin Central Iowa Juvenile Detention at its April 7 meeting. County staff presented historical expenses dating to Mitchell County’s initial 2021 participation and estimated the county’s share averaged a little over $7,000 per year and that, under a 'dollar per population' formula, Mitchell County’s rejoin amount could be about $10,630.

Supervisors asked whether the fee could be spread over multiple years and whether the proposal guarantees where youth will be placed. Staff said the county does not control placement decisions; a court-affiliated official typically decides which facility a youth is sent to and the county has limited influence. Several supervisors said they would prefer a payment plan (two or three years) or to consider other facilities (Waterloo, Eldora) instead of paying a lump sum to rejoin.

One supervisor said directly they would not support paying a $10,000 rejoin fee. The board did not make a motion or vote; staff will report back with more details, including payment-plan options and the final 28E agreement language when available.