DeKalb County Council approves additions for juvenile detention, probation safety gear and TIF allocations for HAZMAT training

DeKalb County Council members approved a series of additional appropriations and interfund transfers at their Nov. 12 meeting to cover unbudgeted detention costs, safety equipment for probation staff, and capital projects funded through expiring TIF districts.

Clerk’s reports showed an immediate $10,000 supplemental request to general fund 1001 (account 34190, “care of inmates”) after the Allen County Juvenile Center raised its daily detention charge; the packet states a detention cost of “$200 a day.” County staff said the increase was not anticipated during the annual budget process and that additional invoices may require further appropriations. The council approved the $10,000 request by voice vote.

The council also approved a $22,000 supplemental appropriation from adult probation user-fee funds (fund 2000, account 22300) for body armor vests for probation officers and judges. Probation staff told the council the department’s vests had expired, that quoted unit costs were $1,150 plus $270, and that they had pursued a Bureau of Justice Assistance reimbursement program that could cover up to 50% of eligible purchases. Michelle Smith (probation) said the vests are used primarily when officers make home checks and ‘‘it’s just for safety’’ when staff are out in the community. The appropriation was approved after a motion and second.

Council members also approved multiple routine transfers — including an $8,000 transfer for Superior Court software licenses and several small auditor and central-office transfers — to cover information-technology and holiday-pay shortfalls.

Three TIF (tax increment financing) districts — SDI, American Heritage and New Millennium — were allocated funds for the Auburn HAZMAT training facility and related equipment. Each TIF action authorized appropriations tied to a larger HAZMAT project that the council heard will be used by county departments and regional partners for hazmat training. Council members discussed how the TIF districts are winding down and that captured taxes will be distributed to taxing units when the districts expire. Motions to approve each TIF allocation carried by voice vote.

Council members said the transfers and appropriations address immediate operating needs and capital commitments; staff flagged that some expenses are recurring (e.g., detention placements) and that additional requests may follow. The motions were recorded as approved in open session; specific roll-call tallies were not recorded for the majority of these items.