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County leaders urge state help for China Spring and Aurora Pines youth camps as county shares rise
Summary
County officials and camp directors told the subcommittee that China Spring Youth Camp and Aurora Pines face funding shortfalls after years without state increases. Camp leaders and counties requested the state return to a historic 50–50 cost split to sustain capacity and programming.
County officials, local juvenile services chiefs and China Spring Youth Camp leadership told the joint subcommittee the camps that serve adjudicated youth are strained by rising costs and remain underfunded in the governor’s recommended budget.
Jessica Stocking, China Spring Youth Camp director, said the camp’s current census is 19 males and two females (camp capacity: 40 males, 16 females) and requested an increase in state funding to sustain operations. Stocking said the camp has not received a budget increase since 2013 and that the camp is requesting a $1.2 million state increase and an additional $798,000 from counties to restore the program to full capacity and to account for staff‑pay increases.
Carson City Juvenile Services Chief Ally Banister and Douglas County Assistant County Manager Wendy Lang told the committee the camp acts as a graduated sanction that prevents higher‑cost state commitments. Stocking said the current funding split is 56% counties / 44% state and the camp requests returning to a 50%/50% split across participating counties and the state.
County representatives said low female placement numbers (currently two females housed in the same male unit at China Spring) reflect fluctuations in local need and that county contributions and coordination are ongoing. Douglas County said its proportionate share based on statute and usage is affordable for the county but that county contributions alone would not sustain the program without the state share.
Why it matters: counties stressed that local correctional camps provide a less costly, community‑based rehabilitation alternative to state commitments and urged restoration of the historical 50/50 cost split to maintain bed capacity and keep kids from waiting in secure detention for placement.
