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Commissioners decline to add adult diversion to 2023–24 budget but ask coordinator to continue pilot study
Summary
After hearing budget pressure and public calls to limit spending, York County commissioners voted to exclude a proposed adult diversion program from the 2023–24 budget but requested the diversion coordinator continue grant-seeking and pilot planning for a possible midyear start.
The York County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 19 decided not to include a proposed adult diversion program in the county's 2023–24 budget, but asked the diversion coordinator to continue investigating grants and a pilot implementation.
Tristan Perry, identified as the county diversion coordinator, presented an updated, minimal budget request that would shift 20 hours of his time from juvenile work to adult diversion. Perry told the board the 20-hour allocation would allow him to handle roughly "40 to 60 cases throughout the year" while also pursuing grants and program revenue to expand the effort. "With 20 hours, we should still be able to pick up between 40 and 60 cases throughout the year," Perry said.
Commissioners said they were sympathetic to the program's goals but wary of adding new spending after a public tax-request meeting the prior evening, when residents urged spending restraint. Chair said it was difficult to add new expenditures at the end of the budget process and suggested a midyear pilot funded from miscellaneous or one-time sources if feasible.
A motion to exclude adult diversion from the 2023–24 budget passed; the board amended the motion to ask Perry to continue investigating grants and to report back with more information and potential pilot options. Several commissioners said they were open to a small, fee-supported pilot or waiting until grant awards arrive to fund any expansion.
Next steps: The diversion coordinator will pursue grant opportunities beginning in November–December, return with updated budget and implementation options, and the board will revisit the program if a viable funding path appears.
