Scott County staff recommend daily rate increase at juvenile detention center; propose one-bed contract with Clinton County

Jeremy Kaiser, speaking for the juvenile detention facility, recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve a per diem increase for detained youth in the county’s facility and reported a one‑year contract with Clinton County for one guaranteed bed.

Kaiser said the county’s policy gives the board authority to set per diem rates and recommended raising the internal rate to $285 per day to reflect staffing, grocery and supply costs. "I am recommending that today we increase to $285 per day, due to the increase in cost ultimately to detain youth," Kaiser said. He added that Scott County’s FY24 average cost per day was $294, which he said aligns with the recommended rate.

Kaiser also presented a contract with Clinton County that would guarantee one bed per day at Scott County’s detention facility for the period beginning July 24, 2025, through June 30, 2026. He described guaranteed‑bed contracts as a budgeting tool that ensures capacity and keeps youth closer to home.

Why it matters: Raising the per diem affects how adjacent counties contract for bed space and influences the facility’s operating revenue. Guaranteed‑bed contracts provide predictable revenue and allow neighboring counties shorter transports and local placements.

Board members discussed regional demand; one supervisor noted Muscatine County has recently seen its juvenile population increase. Kaiser said he had provided draft contracts to Muscatine officials but no executed agreements yet. The committee transcript records the recommendation and the proposed contract but no formal board vote during the session.