Del Norte supervisors approve $48,000 feasibility study for justice services campus; one supervisor votes no

The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 12 authorized a task order not to exceed $48,000 to Nichols, Melberg & Roseto (NMR) to prepare a feasibility and planning study for a proposed justice services campus and to evaluate interim space for youth services displaced during a planned jail rehabilitation.

The move followed debate among supervisors about urgency for an interim site for the Youth Opportunity Center and whether the feasibility study could delay placement of youth services. County staff said the work will include a preliminary design and that turnaround is expected in months rather than years. The assistant county administrative officer told the board that the task order would cover a short, focused feasibility analysis and preliminary design to identify suitable options, including evaluating existing vacant county buildings and a vacant lot next to the sheriff’s department.

Supervisor Starkey said she believed the study added an “extra layer” and could delay finding an immediate location for the youth program. Supervisor Short and others said the broader planning effort is intended to reduce future costs and address long‑standing courthouse space liabilities, including probation and district attorney offices that operate in a building the county does not own.

The board approved the item 4–1: Supervisor Short, Supervisor Howard, Supervisor Wilson and Chair Borges voted yes; Supervisor Starkey voted no. No mover or seconder was recorded in the public minutes for the motion.

The feasibility work is intended to produce preliminary design, siting, and program recommendations. Staff estimated a short timeline of roughly three to four months for an initial feasibility deliverable; the consultant will advise whether an existing building or modular solution is most appropriate and identify needed utilities, parking, and permitting considerations.

County staff said the study responds to prior direction from the Capital Improvement/Infrastructure Technical Advisory Committee and a jail workforce work group and is linked to the county’s longer-term jail rehabilitation program, which contemplates using the juvenile hall as temporary jail space while the main jail is rehabilitated.

Public comment included one speaker who urged that the expense be considered in the regular budget process instead of approved now.

The board authorized the county administrative officer or designee to issue the task order and execute related documents.