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9 <br /> <br />counsel (but that is a constitutional right), and one judge has asked for a closer examination of 1 <br />financial means. 2 <br />Commissioner McKee asked, of those that have not paid, if it is known how many may 3 <br />have the means to pay. 4 <br />Cait Fenhagen said it is important at intake to thoroughly determine who cannot pay and 5 <br />those who can pay. She said ultimately the issue goes before the District Attorney, who must 6 <br />consent to the motion, and is then presented to the Judge, who reviews the driving record and 7 <br />reasons for relief. 8 <br />Commissioner McKee asked if there is any percentage data. 9 <br />Cait Fenhagen said no, but staff is finding that most people who avail themselves of this 10 <br />program genuinely cannot pay. 11 <br />Commissioner Dorosin said he is thrilled this is in the budget, and he appreciates the 12 <br />work that Cait Fenhagen has done; and while it is not a constitutional right, there is clear 13 <br />constitutional issue in the racial disparities and discrimination in how the penalties are impacting 14 <br />people of color. He said he expects there are a percentage of people failing to appear because 15 <br />they know they cannot pay the fees. He said he looks forward to an update next year. 16 <br />Chair Rich asked if there is a timeline for when this program will begin. 17 <br />Cait Fenhagen said there is a start date of October 1st. She said there are several 18 <br />interested and capable candidates already. 19 <br />Commissioner Price asked if there is a timeline to start looking at the failure to appear 20 <br />issue. She said sometimes in an issue of the wrong phone number, address, etc. 21 <br />Cait Fenhagen said this is an important issue for the entire court system, and they are 22 <br />working systematically to address these issues, including free text reminders of court dates, 23 <br />etc., and finding ways to help clients make their court date. She said she hoped there will be a 24 <br />broader look at addressing some of those cases within the driver’s license restoration program. 25 <br />She said having a staff person in place to focus on this will be very effective. 26 <br />Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation: 27 <br /> 28 <br />• Public Safety - CIP 29 <br />• CJRD Expansion and Remodeling - $216,300 (CIP page 34) 30 <br />– Currently Located in Lower Level of 1954 Courthouse 31 <br />– Remodel Space to Current Design and Functionality Standards 32 <br />– Accommodate Program Expansion 33 <br /> 34 <br />Commissioner Price referred to the ABC Board revenue, and said there was a mistake 35 <br />of $17,500. She asked if this could be clarified. 36 <br />Cait Fenhagen said last year, the County asked the ABC Board for an additional amount 37 <br />to cover GPS monitoring, and the ABC Board declined. She said this funding was found 38 <br />elsewhere, but the budget was never adjusted. 39 <br />Commissioner Greene referred to the ongoing funding for the reentry counsel, and said 40 <br />there is a second grant proposal. She asked if this will be the ongoing source of funding for 41 <br />that position, or will the County be expected to pick it up at some point. 42 <br />Cait Fenhagen said staff just received notice of having been granted the $150,000 for 43 <br />next year, and it is for up to three years so she would expect another year of full funding. She 44 <br />said after that it is unclear what funding will be available. 45 <br />Cait Fenhagen said the misdemeanor diversion program is still going on through 46 <br />December 1st, and any 16 or 17 year olds can be referred. She said the Orange County pre-47 <br />arrest diversionary program, for 18 and older, has already started. 48 <br />Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation: 49 <br /> 50