Orange County NC Website
2 <br /> State funding for alternative sentencing programs was eliminated in FY2011-12. Pretrial <br /> Services has experienced mounting fiscal stress due to loss of State funding alongside steadily <br /> increasing caseloads. It has used fund balance (reserves) to continue operating and has re- <br /> located into in-kind space in the Sheriff's Department for lease savings of $8,400. Two <br /> employees — one full time and one part time — presently conduct all program operations. <br /> Contracts for professional services to help manage defendant caseloads have been eliminated <br /> in an effort to sustain operations to the end the fiscal year. <br /> Pretrial Services is appealing to the BOCC for additional financial support in the amount of <br /> $40,000, which Pre-Trial Services states is critically necessary to continue current service levels <br /> for the remainder of FY2012-13. This potential increase would raise the current allocation to <br /> Pretrial Services from $70,000 to $110,000. Agency leadership projects the need to request a <br /> total of$130,000 in County contribution in the FY2013-14 application cycle. <br /> Management review of Pretrial Services supports the following conclusions: <br /> • Majority of benefits accrue to Orange County participants <br /> • Orange County services are priority proportionate to County investment <br /> • Federal and State government have essentially eliminated funding support <br /> • Socio-economic factors drive pretrial caseload <br /> • Pretrial releases assist in managing jail population <br /> • The Sheriff's Department saves Pretrial Services $8,400 annually through donated office <br /> space <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: A transfer from the General Fund fund balance would be needed to <br /> increase the allocation to Pretrial Services in FY2012-13. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board <br /> 1. Approve increased funding to Pretrial Services in the amount of$40,000 for FY2012-13; <br /> 2. Direct staff to bring back a budget amendment to appropriate the increased allocation; <br /> and <br /> 3. Direct staff to review and strengthen subsequent performance agreements to ensure <br /> Orange County investment is strictly applied to Orange County outcomes and consider <br /> alternative options to current operations to help offset local costs associated with these <br /> services. <br />