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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: September 5, 2013 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 7 -c <br />SUBJECT: Work Group and Charge for an Assessment of Jail Alternative Programs <br />DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />1) May 14, 2013 Abstract - <br />Assessment of Jail Alternative <br />Programs <br />2) Suggested Charge of the Jail <br />Alternatives Work Group <br />3) Scope of Services — Assessment of <br />Jail Alternative Programs <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Frank Clifton, 919 - 245 -2300 <br />Michael Talbert, 919 - 245 -2308 <br />Cheryl Young, 919 - 245 -2307 <br />1 <br />PURPOSE: To consider the creation of a Work Group and Charge for the Assessment of Jail <br />Alternative Programs. <br />BACKGROUND: In October, 2012, the NC Council of State authorized issuance of a 50 year <br />land lease to Orange County for approximately 6.8 acres for construction of a jail facility. The <br />proposed new Jail is included in the County's FY 2013 -18 Capital Investment Plan (CIP) with an <br />estimated total project cost of $30,250,000. A consultant has been retained to evaluate the site <br />and determine the best configuration of the potential site, along with any constraints <br />(environmental /regulatory for example) that might impact the development. Site related <br />planning costs have been included in the CIP at $250,000 for FY 2013 -14. Construction cost <br />estimates from firms in the business of building detention facilities range from $80,000 to <br />$120,000 per bed. The new jail is intended to house a minimum of 250 prisoners and provide <br />support spaces needed for such a facility. Site design costs are planned for FY 2015 -16, and <br />Architectural /Engineering costs are included in FY 2016 -17, with construction costs in FY 2017- <br />18. <br />The proposed new Jail project involves the review of jail alternative programs, individual <br />program's effectiveness and impact on the inmate population of the Orange County Jail. At the <br />August 30, 2012 Board work session, District Court Judge Joseph M. Buckner presented an <br />overview of Court Programs to the Board. Attachment 1 is the Power Point presented by Judge <br />Buckner that outlines Court Programs. <br />On May 14, 2013 the Board reviewed a proposal from Solutions for Local Government, Inc., to <br />assess Jail Alternative Programs in Orange County. Before planning for a new jail begins, a <br />comprehensive assessment of jail alternative programs needs to be completed. The Board <br />