Jefferson County reviews plan to convert old jail into regional juvenile detention center

Jefferson County council members spent the bulk of their meeting reviewing a detailed proposal to convert the county's old jail into a juvenile detention center, a plan the presenters said would keep detained youths closer to family, reduce transport costs and create local jobs while requiring upfront renovation and ongoing operating funds.

The presentation, introduced by council leadership and featuring consultant Josh Nichols and references to state juvenile detention rules, outlined reuse options the county has studied and recommended a phased start. "Our current operating expense runs everything from programmatic down to food, down to insurance, facility maintenance," Nichols said, giving an example operating budget near $2.2 million for a comparable facility. He also said utility costs for the building averaged about $54,636 per month in 2023.

The proposal calls for an initial small-scale operation (an opening phase with eight male and eight female beds) and a one-year consulting agreement with Nichols to manage remodel work and initial operations. Nichols described typical staffing ratios and regulatory constraints, saying his approach prefers a 1-to-8 staff-to-youth ratio and noting that night staffing often shifts toward a 1-to-10 ratio. "If I take female number nine as an example ... I have to hire somebody else," he said, explaining why units are planned in eights to keep expense-to-staffing ratios feasible.

Council members pressed on financing and assumptions. The packet included a daily operational figure of $2,000 (about $730,000 per year) and modeled how contracting in out-of-county placements at rates of roughly $125 to $500 per bed per night could offset expenses. Council members and Nichols were explicit that per-diem revenue is not pure profit because food, staff and other costs persist. One council member asked about liability; Nichols said his organization would "take on and indemnify the county" and carry operating risk under a negotiated detention services agreement.

Speakers noted regulatory requirements for juvenile detention and cited the governing rules in the presentation materials, referenced in the packet as "2 10 IAC Article 8," which cover staffing, sight-and-sound separation and program standards. Presenters said they had engaged Terry Decker from state juvenile services and that Decker recommended Josh Nichols as a regional operator.

On capital needs, the council heard local renovation estimates (one contractor estimate cited about $239,000), existing ARP funds available for the remodel and an account of bids: one bid in hand, a second bid awaited. Council members asked staff to schedule a short special budget meeting in early January to review the second bid, finalize where remodel money would come from (public safety tax, ARP funds and other local allocations were discussed), and potentially take action. One suggested date was Jan. 8 after the commissioners' meeting.

Proponents emphasized local benefits beyond beds and revenue: improved access for families, reduced officer transport time and fewer long trips to distant facilities. "It's beneficial to the community and to the parents who have kids that are in detention, because they're still able to visit their kids," Nichols said. Opponents did not press a formal objection at the meeting, and the council did not take a final vote on operating or service agreements; council members agreed to return to the issue at the special budget review after receiving the second bid and updated cost and funding figures.

Next steps: staff will obtain a second renovation bid, the council will hold a special budget meeting in early January to review funding and contracts, and the council may consider authorizing a one-year contract and additional appropriation then.