Minutes 06-07-2018 Budget Work Session

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21 Chair Dorosin clarified that the goal for this evening is to settle on a number of inmates to determine to the size of the facility, allowing the design phase to proceed. Chair Dorosin referred to last slide, and asked if, at this point, no matter what number is decided upon, the 5 spaces for the diversion unit are not part of the consideration. Travis Myren said for the initial build this topic would be off the table, but could be considered in the future. Bonnie Hammersley said the reason staff is not recommending this is because there is capacity within the system right now, and the Sheriff's department agreed. Chair Dorosin asked if it is the current plan for the Sheriff's offices, located in the courthouse, will remain there. Travis Myren said yes. Chair Dorosin said the initial report was for 144 inmates and clarified that, if this number is reduced, it must be done by factors of 8. Travis Myren said yes, in order to get both a practical construction scope, as well as a meaningful reduction in the budget. Commissioner Burroughs said it is clear that 2037 is less than 20 years away, and the current jail is over 100 hundred years old. She said this building will have to last a long time, and there will be a need. She said she is comfortable staying at 144 inmates. Commissioner Marcoplos referred to the flexible capacity, and asked if there is a known capacity that can be absorbed, beyond the bed count, if need be. Jamie Sykes said if capacity is 144, this could be stretched to 165 or 170 on worst-case days. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if Jamie Sykes had an opinion about a 136-bed facility. Jamie Sykes said the data reflects that 136-bed may be an option, but there is currently no ability for the classifications. He said a new facility would allow better adherence to classification standards. Commissioner Marcoplos said an additional 16 could be absorbed, and asked if it is known how often this may happen. Jamie Sykes said the current detention center was at 160 last week, including federal inmates, which requires all involved to think creatively about how to bring the numbers down. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the inmate total has been 160 before. Jamie Sykes said yes, and he has seen it as high as 192 about 12-15 years ago. A Deputy said he remembers the number being as high as 210, but that was prior to measures being put in place to bring numbers down. Jamie Sykes said he also remembers the total being 18. Commissioner Rich asked if clarification could be given about the classifications: how many cells would be for men and women, etc. Jamie Sykes said there are many classifications, which will be discussed more during the design phase. He said there may be juvenile detainees, who must be kept separate; Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), with which the County cannot currently comply; violent offenders; pretrial detainees; higher risk inmates, etc. He said how this plays out in the design phase will fall under certain state and federal guidelines. Commissioner Rich asked if the classifications could interfere with how many inmates can be housed, due to having too many inmates of one particular classification. Jamie Sykes said if it is not fully considered during the design phase, or the flexibility of the building itself prevents staff from being able to do accommodate classifications, then yes, it could be a problem. He said there are many options from a design standpoint that should be able to prevent this being a problem. Commissioner Burroughs clarified that 136 inmates would save 8 beds and $200,000. Chair Dorosin said he would be interested in an amount smaller than the 136-inmate capacity, and these studies do not take into account other factors such as diversionary