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Tippecanoe County Council OKs $426,000 to House Juveniles as SB1 Raises Costs
Summary
Magistrate Sarah Wyatt told the County Council that changes under Senate Bill 1 require Tippecanoe County to send juveniles charged as adults to out-of-county detention centers; the council approved a $426,000 appropriation to cover current placements and anticipated cases.
Tippecanoe County Council on June 10 approved an additional appropriation of $426,000 to cover the county’s costs for housing juveniles charged as adults after a change in state law.
Magistrate Sarah Wyatt told the council that under a change in Indiana law, juveniles charged as adults can no longer be held in the county jail and must be placed in juvenile detention centers outside Tippecanoe County. "We don't have one here in Tippecanoe County, so we have to send them to out of county facilities," Wyatt said, adding that placements vary widely in cost and location.
Wyatt said about $326,000 of the request covers current liabilities — juveniles already in custody — calculated through the end of the year or the juveniles' 18th birthdays, and that the remaining $100,000 is to cover additional cases that might be filed in the second half of the year. The council approved the appropriation on a voice vote after discussion.
The magistrate and council members said the end of the Department of Correction safe-keeper beds has reduced lower-cost placement options. Wyatt told the council that the DOC safe-keeper beds previously cost around $135 per day and their loss both limited placement locations and increased per-diem expenses.
Council members asked whether the county could run hearings on noncompliance or explore longer-term solutions; staff said the council could convene hearings and that the question of building a local juvenile facility and other budget impacts would be part of further planning. Council President Ben (first name on record as "Ben") later announced a work session with the county’s financial consultant, Greg Gerritos, scheduled for June 24 to discuss options and the budget implications of Senate Bill 1.
Wyatt’s description made clear the appropriation was for housing costs, not policy change. The motion to approve the appropriation was made by Councilwoman Dullum and seconded by Councilman Richard; council members voted in favor.
The council did not set a construction decision at the meeting; members emphasized the need for more data and consultant recommendations before pursuing capital projects or tax changes.
The appropriation should cover current out-of-county placement bills and provide a modest reserve for new cases through the remainder of the fiscal year. The council indicated it will revisit the topic in committee and at the June 24 work session with the financial consultant.
