The Board approved three interagency agreements related to juvenile services on Aug. 18: the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) BECCA (truancy) funding agreement, AOC CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteer funding, and a detention-use contract with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Nora Gregware of court services said BECCA funds — historically about $67,000 per year for Walla Walla and Columbia Counties to support a probation officer focused on truancy and at-risk youth — were reduced by about 59% for the current biennium, a statewide average cut of roughly 71%. "Our reduction was about 59% because we overperformed. We filed a lot of truancy petitions," Gregware said. She said the county plans to preserve the probation position by not backfilling a front-desk position and urged continued partnership with local schools; she also warned the legislature may consider reducing or eliminating truancy petitions in future sessions.

Gregware asked the board to approve AOC interagency agreements for the reduced BECCA allocation (now $27,737), and for CASA funding (no reduction this cycle at $55,000) that supports a child-advocate position. Commissioners approved both interagency agreements by motion (votes recorded as 2–0 when Commissioner Kimball was absent).

The board also renewed a detention-use contract with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; court services said the county raised its juvenile detention bed-day rate from $140 to $150 this year and is updating several interjurisdictional contracts. County staff noted a typographical error on the draft resolution (Morrow County listed incorrectly) and corrected it prior to approval.

Commissioners emphasized continuing support for schools on truancy and said court services will monitor legislative changes that could affect truancy petitioning.