Board adopts $15 minimum monitoring fee for most participants, delays rule for self‑employed

The county community corrections board on an apparent majority vote adopted a policy setting the minimum daily charge for electronic home detention at $15 or one hour's wage, whichever is higher, while holding off on how to treat self‑employed participants.

Staff framed the motion as a step toward program sustainability and operational clarity. S1 presented six months of program data and revenue options and asked the board to act on a clear baseline for fees. “At $12 a day, which is our current rate, we're collecting $68,100,” S1 said, summarizing recent collections and why the board needed to consider a new baseline.

Chair (S3) moved the measure and explained the carve‑out for self‑employed participants so staff could devise a fair calculation method; S5 seconded the motion. S3 stated the proposed language for the motion as the board debated: “we would have a minimum fee of $15 or 1 hours wage, whichever is higher except for self employed individual.”

After members discussed administrative burdens, fairness for retired or disabled participants, and the risk of pricing out low‑income people, the chair called the vote. Members voiced their support, one member registered an abstention, and the chair announced the motion carried. The board directed staff to return with options for setting rates or maximums for self‑employed people at a future meeting.

The policy change affects probation referrals and adult home detention participants immediately for the majority of cases; the board left specific self‑employment rules to further analysis and a later vote.