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Juvenile justice leaders ask Bennett County Commissioners for staffing steps, training and operating funding
Summary
Bennett County juvenile justice leaders asked commissioners for step increases for eligible probation staff, modest increases for training and operating supplies, vehicle replacements and a $10,000 transfer to sustain village programming.
Matt Olsen, director of juvenile justice in Bennett County, outlined the department’s budget request during the county’s budget hearing, asking that eligible probation staff receive step increases and that the commission consider supplemental one‑time stipends if a general cost‑of‑living adjustment is not funded.
Olsen told commissioners the personnel priorities center on retaining a “highly competent and ethical workforce” and on fiscal accountability. He highlighted two line items affecting promotions for probation officers: a probation officer in line 106103 currently at step 1 for whom the department requests step 3 (with anticipated post completion and a further step in FY2026), and a senior juvenile probation officer line (106118) for an officer who will reach the five‑year mark in August 2026 and, if eligible under prior county policy, would move from grade 10 to grade 11 with the associated step increase. Olsen said the FY2026 fiscal impact of that senior promotion for the current year would be $411 because it would take effect late in the year.
Olsen also requested modest operating changes. Training funding requested is $2,500 for FY2026 after a $15,000 EPICS training expense the prior year was covered by a grant; Title I funds that previously paid for some staff training will no longer be available for staff not directly tied to the youth development center. He requested $815 for metal detector maintenance at the YDC building and an estimated $21,796 for furniture/capital for YDC. The department estimates a $46,000 vehicle replacement for two county fleet replacements recommended in a fleet plan. Olsen proposed transferring $10,000 from the juvenile trust to create a separate village fund to support pro‑social activities, truancy and diversion rewards, staff clothing allowances and youth snacks, with the intention of sustaining village activities from diversion and prevention fees collected.
On services and community needs, Olsen said the county has seen rising behavioral health needs among juveniles and adults, and that the village functions as a local gateway to mental‑health services. He described coordination with Idaho State University’s community psychiatric department and other local providers that allow expedited psychiatric evaluations and medication management, and he said the village helps place juveniles into services despite waiting lists in the private sector. Olsen noted future capital needs, including cargo trailers for activity transport and replacement of body armor (Kevlar vests) in 2028.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about vehicle types and security coverage for the YDC building; Olsen said the sheriff’s office will provide a deputy to patrol the fairgrounds roughly March/April through October and that Pocatello Police indicated they could respond under an agreement if needed. He said the Idaho Association of County Juvenile Justice Administrators is working on advanced certification guidelines for juvenile probation officers to make senior promotion criteria more objective.
No vote or formal action on the juvenile budget was taken during the presentation; commissioners posed questions and requested follow‑up on job descriptions, certification criteria, and coordination on mental‑health resources.
