Minutes 06-07-2018 Budget Work Session

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22 programming, raising the minimum age, thus removing 16 and 17 year old from the adult system, as well as other changes. He said he would like to go as low as 120 beds, and this is an opportunity to reflect the policy efforts, that have been made, in the construction of this facility. Commissioner Rich said it will be more costly to build on later, and she is comfortable with 136 and 144 beds. Chair Dorosin said there are policy considerations, and this Board and this community are interested in looking at other alternatives to incarceration. He said the fiscal side is one thing, but the extra beds are a disincentive to all the work being done by stakeholders in the field of restorative justice, and are an incentive to take on more federal prisoners. He said this prison could reflect this community's commitment to alternative practices for the next 100 years. Commissioner Marcoplos said it would be a big mistake to put money in a facility and run out of space before the building is very old. He said in terms of reflecting the Board and local values, how the County deals with people that run afoul of the law should be rooted in the County's belief system and not the availability of cells. He said keeping people out of jail should not be motivated by a lack of space, but rather because the County believes in a system that rehabilitates and steers people back into productive life. Chair Dorosin said keeping the jail is not a backhanded way to keep people out of jail, but rather is a reflection of the local values. Commissioner Marcoplos said extending the life of the building is the most financially responsible thing to do, and continue to use the community's authentic philosophy to keep people out of it. But at least the building would last. He said he is leaning toward the 144 capacities, erring on the side of more capacity now while it is cost effective to do so. He said he does not see this number being at all incompatible with local values. Commissioner Price said she is more in line with Chair Dorosin's thinking, and would prefer to get treatment for people rather than lock them up. She said she prefers a capacity of 136 or 128. Commissioner Jacobs said he is thinking about Southern Human Services Center, which opened 20 years ago, and the Board at that time chose not to include a dental clinic in order to save money. He said the current Board is now planning to add a dental clinic, which will cost more now than it would have then. He said he understands Chair Dorosin's point, and as such, he is not in favor of 144 beds, but more inclined towards 128 or 136. He said he does not have really strong feelings, and would err on the side of frugality. He said he would like to recognize the County's efforts towards permanently reducing the levels of incarceration, and whatever size building is made the courts will adjudicate accordingly. Commissioner Rich said she does not think that building the larger facility now is ignoring the values of keeping people out of jail. She said the dental clinic is a perfect example, and she is comfortable with 136 or 144 beds, but not any lower. Commissioner Jacobs said the jail will be expandable by pods, and the Board can send a message to the community about its values by erring on the side of building lower than the projected jail construction numbers. Chair Dorosin said he is not convinced that it is more fiscally responsible to buy more than is needed. He gave an example of solid waste, noting that buying a landfill that is larger than necessary sends a counter message towards recycling efforts, etc. He said it is not unreasonable to connect the policy to the construction decisions. Commissioner Price said the money being saved could be put towards treatment and diversionary programming. Chair Dorosin asked if staff is expecting the BOCC to make a decision tonight. Bonnie Hammersley said the Board does not need to vote, but each Commissioner can send her an amendment for the number they chose, and the Board will vote on June 12t". She said the Board can vote this evening, if it so chooses.