Commissioners approve limited supplemental funding for juvenile center amid concerns about rising costs

Dearborn County commissioners approved supplemental funding requests for the juvenile center after discussing the facility's budget pressures and staffing costs. The fiscal body approved $30,000 in additional part-time wages (plus applicable employer taxes) to cover staffing through the near term, and approved a $1,500 supplies request and a $20,000 request for additional educational services. Commissioners discussed the center's practice of billing other counties for placements and noted that out-of-county revenue had previously offset some costs; however committee members warned that reliance on that revenue is not certain going forward. Some members said they were uncomfortable approving the full amount requested and advocated for a reduced or phased appropriation, while others argued the county should avoid understaffing a facility that serves juveniles and keeps placements local. A motion to approve $30,000 in part-time wages was made and seconded; the commissioners voted in favor. The vote on the supplies and educational services requests also passed. Why this matters: The juvenile center carries a substantial ongoing operational cost for the county. Commissioners said they want the facility to remain adequately staffed and able to serve local juveniles while seeking longer-term strategies for sustainability and fewer ad hoc supplemental requests.