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Juvenile services to pay part-time clinician from existing court funds; feasibility study for admin renovation discussed
Summary
Staff proposed creating a new line in therapeutic-court budget to pay a part‑time clinician (Dr. Johansen) using a $36,000 transfer from an underused line; commissioners heard a feasibility study estimate for admin building renovations of about $11 million and discussed ADA and elevator upgrades.
County juvenile department staff told the board they plan to fund a part‑time clinician, Dr. (Robert) Johansen, by reallocating money already budgeted for therapeutic‑court positions.
The discussion matters because staff said the shift should not require additional county funds this fiscal year but will require creating a new line item for bookkeeping and may require a resolution to authorize the transfer.
A juvenile department staff member (presenting) said the office consolidated positions and has payroll savings available. The staff member recommended transferring $36,000 from the line that formerly paid Belinda into a new therapeutic‑court line to cover Johansen’s remainder-of-year pay. “We have money, that we budgeted, for a couple different positions…we consolidated, one of those positions…so we have money right there,” the presenter said.
The presenter outlined pay estimates: $250 per day for on‑call coverage and an additional amount to cover three hours weekly on Fridays, estimating roughly $27,580 for on‑call plus regular hours. The presenter said, “That is currently what we are planning, and it shouldn’t cost we shouldn’t be asking for any additional funds.”
Commissioners asked whether the transfer would affect the bottom line and whether union rules apply. A commissioner said, “As long as it doesn’t affect the bottom line, life is good,” and staff confirmed they expected no net budget impact. County staff also noted the county might need a formal resolution to create the new budget line and approve the transfer.
At the same time, the group discussed a feasibility study for county admin building renovations (same feasibility study discussed in other agenda items) and whether to add accessibility improvements such as new elevators. Staff said those accessibility items could increase the overall cost and asked whether the board wanted to include them in upcoming design work.
No final board vote on the transfer was recorded in the transcript; staff said they would proceed with the bookkeeping changes and return with any required resolution or formal action.
Next steps: staff will create the new therapeutic‑court line for Dr. Johansen’s pay, prepare any required resolution for transfer approval, and return to the board if formal authorization is needed.
