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Court Innovation fund drug-testing line rises to $80,000 as county absorbs prior shortfall
Summary
Budget staff told commissioners the Court Innovation Fund operating request doubled from $40,000 to $80,000 to cover the county's share of drug-testing costs under an existing contract; staff said the county still has two years left on the contract.
Budget staff said the Court Innovation Fund operating line increased from $40,000 to $80,000 because the contractor that administers drug testing had been absorbing Okeechobee County's costs in prior years. Staff said the $80,000 represents the county's full share under the contract and that the county still has two years remaining on the agreement.
Lisa Manzo, budget staff, explained the program and noted some program revenue streams may offset part of the cost. Commissioners and staff briefly discussed the relative costs of incarceration vs. community-based drug testing and treatment; no policy change was adopted.
The board discussed whether participants who are employed should contribute to testing costs, but staff noted verifying employment would cost time and money and could be more expensive administratively than simply absorbing the testing cost.
No vote was taken; staff said the contract remains in force and the budget will reflect the $80,000 operating cost in the Court Innovation Fund.
