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Commission discusses juvenile detention feasibility study and approves placement agreements with Minnehaha County
Summary
The commission heard from sheriff and consultants about a proposed feasibility study for a Yankton County juvenile detention facility and approved agreements to house juveniles with Lutheran Social Services and Minnehaha County's juvenile detention center at set per-diem rates.
YANKTON — Commissioners heard an extended discussion about whether to proceed with a feasibility study for a co-located juvenile detention unit at the county jail and approved intergovernmental placement agreements to send juveniles to outside facilities at specified per-diem rates.
Sheriff and consultant representatives said a feasibility study would cost $25,000 for an initial study phase (to be spent on front-end design and contractor/architect proposals) and additional architect/contractor fees could follow if the county proceeds. Staff said the upfront work would produce construction pricing, staffing estimates and operating-cost projections the county would need before deciding to seek voter approval for a bond or opt-out measure.
The sheriff and consultants discussed an existing 99-year lease on the proposed site, noting the county estimated it has roughly 79 years left and staff had concluded the lease does not allow the city to require the county to remove its facility. Commissioners asked for more data on average daily juvenile holds and the county's annual cost for sending juveniles out of county so they could assess a cost-benefit case.
Sheriff staff said last year the county spent just under $300,000 on juvenile holds and that cost is likely to rise. Consultants said a co-located addition that keeps juveniles "no sight, no sound" from adult inmates could be more feasible for Yankton County than a standalone facility.
Commissioners agreed to consider the study and planned to make a decision at the next meeting (noted as Feb. 4 in the packet). In the same meeting the commission approved two placement agreements with Minnehaha County's juvenile services: Lutheran Social Services at $296.14 per day and the Minnehaha JDC at $497.80 per day. The motion to approve those agreements passed by voice vote.
