Adams County commissioners voted to ask the county council next month for an additional $15,000 to cover indigence costs for the county’s electronic monitoring program, after the Indiana Department of Correction trimmed community-corrections funding by about $24,000, a cut county staff said is roughly 8% of local DOC funding.

The request came during a July meeting when Ian (Community Corrections director) told commissioners the department began the year with $10,000 in an indigence line and has already monitored seven juveniles for a total of 588 monitoring days and eight adults so far this year. "We only allow our adult indigence to be on for 30 days. They have to find work," Ian said, explaining program rules and the department’s request for more funds.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said the county’s monitoring program is a cost-saving alternative to detention. Ian told the board that electronic monitoring for juveniles and adults has been used in place of sending young people to out-of-county facilities and that the program has been effective enough to justify additional funding.

Key facts and debate: Ian said the county had $10,000 budgeted this year and asked commissioners to request an additional $15,000 from the council; he added the appropriation would be returned to the fund if unused. Commissioners voiced support. "I think the program you run is an excellent program, and I think it's money well spent," Commissioner Steve said during the meeting.

Ian also warned of an unplanned funding cut from the state: "we're cut about $24,000, which is about 8% of our our budget from the DOC," he said, and told commissioners the reduction will affect community corrections, probation and the sheriff’s jail treatment program. Ian said the department learned of the cut shortly before the meeting and that the Indiana DOC’s written reply did not explain the details.

Next steps: Commissioners approved a motion to request the $15,000 additional appropriation from county council next month. Ian said the department will return to commissioners next week to discuss program budget adjustments and potential cuts to contract services or staffing if needed.

Context: Ian described the program’s long run: the county applied for the original grant about 19 years ago. He and commissioners said the monitoring program is a lower-cost alternative to incarceration and that even with state cuts they intend to seek ways to preserve it.