Wabasha County board approves transition of county probation to CCA delivery

Wabasha County commissioners voted to transition county probation delivery to a Community Corrections Agent (CCA) model after a presentation by Probation Director Tracy Green.

Green told the board that legislative changes in 2023 removed a 30,000-population requirement for CCA delivery and that recent funding-formula updates have improved county funding. She said the county has been historically underfunded for probation delivery and that a move to CCA could bring additional funds, operational efficiencies and stronger legislative support. Green recommended transitioning to a single CCA delivery system for Wabasha County.

Green acknowledged the change could affect current Department of Corrections (DOC) agents and staff: she cited estimates of 1.4 agent-equivalents and 0.44 clerical positions potentially affected and said staff who transfer would have county vacation, PTO and sick balances honored, which could create a one-time cost. She also outlined a planned data-transfer and training schedule, describing it as a substantial information-technology project requiring collaboration with the DOC and the county's database vendor.

A motion to transition to CCA was made (the transcript records the mover as "commissioner Wabi" and the seconder as "commissioner Waukes"). The board approved the motion by voice vote; no roll-call tally is recorded in the transcript. Green said an implementation target around March/April (with an April 1 date noted in materials) is feasible but that the timeline allows flexibility to address data-transfer snafus.

The board did not record any formal amendments to the motion during the meeting. Commissioners emphasized training, staff continuity and the fiscal implications of absorbing transferred staff leave balances; Tracy Green said she would continue coordination with DOC and the county departments involved.