County authorizes staff to seek training for Criminal Justice Coordinating Council using strategic-priority funds

Washington County’s executive committee authorized staff to pursue and contract for foundational training and strategic planning for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC), using strategic-priority funds and in consultation with committee leadership and the county executive.

Attorney Stern, who presented the request, said the CJCC has 11 members drawn from key criminal-justice agencies and officials and that the council needs foundational training and strategic-priority work to launch effectively. “The purpose of the council essentially is to serve as an advisory body to the policy makers here in the county that work within the criminal justice system,” Stern said.

Stern said staff initially sought federal training through a National Institute program but that federal funding uncertainty led staff to seek private providers. The Justice Management Institute provided proposals; Stern said an initial single-session proposal would cost about $7,000 while a two-session approach for training and priority-setting could exceed $10,000. Rather than request a single fixed dollar amount, the committee authorized Stern to work with the county executive, the committee chair and vice chair to select a provider and finalize a contract amount using strategic-priority funds.

The committee approved the authorization by voice vote. Stern and county staff said they will return to the chairman, vice chair and county executive with a concrete proposal and contract for execution.