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Commissioners say juvenile detention usage is high; county preparing to use Ottawa facility pending state approval
Summary
Commissioners reported that Junction City juvenile detention is full and Dickinson County officials have arranged to use Ottawa's juvenile facility; state inspection and approval remain pending, and commissioners said staffing arrangements and costs are being coordinated.
Commissioners reported that the regional juvenile detention center in Junction City has been operating at or near capacity for more than a year and that Dickinson County has made arrangements to utilize space in Ottawa to handle overflow.
Commissioner remarks said the county completed the necessary paperwork for the transfer of detainees and staffing coordination and is waiting for state approval before moving forward. Commissioners said the step was necessary because the Junction City facility is full, that Ottawa has sufficient beds to accept juveniles from Dickinson County, and that the change would help reduce costs and staffing pressures on the regional center.
Commissioners and staff discussed operational details: the county will continue to coordinate placements, and civil and compliance standards required for juvenile housing remain part of the state inspection and approval process. Commissioners said no physical renovations to the county jail would be necessary for the transfer and that the county is finalizing administrative agreements and staffing mixes to control costs.
