Commissioners consider integrating pretrial services into restorative justice; decision deferred pending budget details

Chris Thompson presented a plan to integrate pretrial services into the restorative justice program to expand capacity, better coordinate referrals and reduce reliance on incarceration. Thompson said combining the two programs would shift existing staff (one part‑time pretrial employee moving to restorative justice), increase availability of community services, and allow restorative justice staff to take on a portion of pretrial caseloads currently handled by a single part‑time person (Thompson cited roughly 123 current pretrial clients).

Thompson and supporters argued the change would reduce jail population and speed adjudication by increasing monitoring, diversion and treatment referrals; Thompson said the program would initially rely on existing staff rather than adding new full‑time positions and anticipated the county might see revenue from diversion fees over time. Commissioners raised concerns about timing and fiscal-year impacts: moving staff or adding payroll could complicate the 2026 maintenance budget and the county delegation process. Several commissioners supported the concept in principle but asked to see precise budget numbers and documentation demonstrating no net increase in county payroll before approving the change. The board agreed to defer a final decision until staff provides the requested budget figures.