Law Enforcement Center share jumps in budget review; DOCR contract eyed as revenue option

Commissioners and LEC representatives spent significant time on the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) budget after staff said the LEC portion of the general fund rose steeply in the revised preliminary numbers. Star (speaker 3), who presented the LEC update, said the LEC board approved a 3% cost-of-living increase and noted uncertainty about insurance-cost changes and a pending DOCR contract.

Star explained the LEC reallocated the lost payments from departing partner counties across remaining partners. She told the commission the board approved a 3% COLA but flagged that health-insurance decisions and contract outcomes could change final costs. “Our board approved, 3% cost of living,” Star said.

County/city staff (Jeff, speaker 6) described negotiations with DOCR as a potential revenue opportunity: “They currently occupy 41% of our space in the jail,” Jeff said, adding that a DOCR contract to house inmates could materially reduce per-entity costs if secured. Staff cautioned the revenue is uncertain and could be removed at any time, so commissioners must weigh that contingency before relying on it in the final budget.