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Youth center population near 90 as commissioners debate empty new facility and refurbishment
Summary
Douglas County officials heard March data showing an average daily youth-detention population of about 87; commissioners debated whether to open a new 64-bed facility that remains unused or invest in the existing center at 40th Street.
Dr. Abby Carbaugh presented March 2025 population and admissions data for the Douglas County Youth Center (DCYC) on April 22. She reported an average daily population of about 87 in March (low 85, high 91), 47 admissions in March and that youth charged as adults constituted roughly 44 of those detained since January.
Carbaugh's slide deck showed that five youth admitted in March were on adult court charges and that of the 47 juvenile-court admissions 23 were predisposition, four acquired new charges while on probation and 14 were admitted for reasons other than new law violations. She said eight youth were admitted for weapons-related offenses (mostly firearm possession or use) and that 66% of the detention population were members of minority groups. Carbaugh also reported that 11 youth had court orders authorizing release once an appropriate placement was found and that those 11 had waited an average of 16 days for placement.
Commissioners focused discussion on facility capacity and placements. Commissioner Kavanaugh asked whether the 64-bed newly constructed facility across the street (referred to in the meeting as "Pidge Veil") had any youth; staff replied it remained empty. Several commissioners and public commenters questioned the county's handling of the empty new facility versus improving the existing 40th Street center. Commissioner Rogers said comparisons must account for the breakdown of adult-charged versus juvenile-charged youth and for placement and programming constraints; Commissioner Cavanaugh criticized the racial disproportionality in youth detention and objected to maintaining an unused new facility while children remain in older quarters.
Superintendent Woodard and staff described planned refurbishment work and said maintenance and program priorities would be walked through with county facilities staff to produce a prioritized list for the board. Commissioners asked for timelines and for options to reduce length-of-stay for youth awaiting placements, and they discussed staffing and pay for education staff at DCYC; Carbaugh and Woodard said teacher recruitment remained a challenge and that pay adjustments had been proposed.
Public comment included longtime attendee Larry Storff, who urged transparency and criticized earlier decisions that left the new building unused. Commissioners scheduled further public discussion focused on child services and facility options for a May meeting.
No formal vote was taken on facility opening or repurposing during the April 22 discussion; commissioners directed staff to return with prioritized refurbishment plans and additional data.
