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DOCR asks $9.3 million to buy temporary man‑camp units, seeks operating funding and 7 FTEs
Summary
DOCR told the Appropriations — Human Resources Section it wants to buy portable man‑camp housing to add roughly 72 beds at the Missouri River Correctional Campus; the department requested $9.3 million one‑time and about $1.3 million in first‑year operating costs for seven staff.
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation asked the Appropriations — Human Resources Section on Thursday for $9.3 million to buy portable man‑camp housing units to add capacity at the Missouri River Correctional Campus (MRCC).
Colby Braun, DOCR director, and Michelle Zander, DOCR chief financial officer, told lawmakers the original plan called for 88 beds, but the available units that matched specifications were sold. The procurement now under discussion would purchase new units that total 72 beds; DOCR staff said the $9.3 million figure covers the housing units, delivery and setup. Zander said about $8.0 million of that total is the one‑time purchase price for the housing units and the remainder covers moving and setup costs.
The department also requested operating funding tied to the camp: roughly $685,000 for salary and benefits for seven FTEs and about $634,000 in operating costs (food, clothing, linens, medical and program costs) for one year. Zander described the man‑camp proposal as temporary and said the department would prefer used units if viable options surfaced. Committee members asked staff to continue exploring used units and county contract placements as lower‑cost alternatives.
DOCR staff said that even with 16 fewer beds than the original 88‑bed plan, staffing requirements would not fall proportionally because of post and supervision needs. The department also told legislators it had reached out to multiple vendors and that the quoted price reflected market availability at the time of inquiry.
Ending: Lawmakers pressed DOCR to keep searching for used inventory and to provide clearer cost comparisons and vendor justifications at a follow‑up briefing.
