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Juvenile intake budget trims a small carryover line as county relies on prior-year reserves
Summary
Juvenile intake staff told supervisors the department used prior-year carryover to cover juvenile detention bed costs; the budget proposes a small $5,000 reduction in the professional services line because larger carryover is expected, and supervisors approved the budget.
The director of juvenile intake described a 2026 budget proposal that relies partly on carryover funds to cover the high, variable cost of juvenile detention placements.
The department reported a 2025 carryover of about $263,000 that increased the available budget and said year-to-date spending through September was roughly $311,000 (about $34,000 per month) for juvenile placements. Based on the recent expenditure pattern and anticipated carryover, the budget team recommended reducing the "other professional services" line by $5,000 for 2026; the director and staff said they expect a significant remaining carryover available to offset costs next year.
Supervisors pressed staff on the rationale for the modest $5,000 reduction; staff explained the department is a variable-cost unit without a firm projection of future placements. Staff reported the average per-bed daily cost this year was about $221 (down from about $270 last year), but cautioned that rates and bed availability vary and the county must be conservative.
Supervisor Gierston moved approval of the juvenile intake budget; Vice Chair Gaschke seconded and the board approved the item by voice vote.
