Decatur County community corrections approves grant application amid anticipated state cuts
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Summary
Decatur County Community Corrections voted to submit a grant application to the state and to request larger 2027 funding after staff warned of an estimated $20 million statewide reduction in community corrections funding; members were told to list full department spending so cuts are visible to state reviewers.
The Decatur County Community Corrections body voted to approve submission of its grant application to the state after staff warned of major statewide funding cuts and urged the department to request the full amount needed for 2027.
Staff member said the state plans to cut approximately $20,000,000 from community corrections funding across 2026–27, and that local offices were instructed to “request everything we need to survive” rather than only salary amounts. The staff member noted the office received about $182,000 in salary funds last year and was told to expect a 20%–25% reduction moving forward.
Officials said the department will also consolidate project income and user-fee items under the grant budget at the state’s direction so reviewers can see total departmental spending. “Throw it all under the grama so that they see what you're spending as a department,” a committee member said, describing an instruction from IACAC to present grant requests that way.
The board discussed operational impacts alongside the budget. A staff member reported that Community Transition Program (CTP) enrollments have been low and that three people are currently in CTP; the staff member said some clients who might qualify are denied because their reentry addresses are outside Decatur County. The staff member also said they have discussed house-arrest placements with two employees, Emily and Joe, to help increase local supervision placements.
At the meeting the chair asked for a motion to approve the grant (referred to in the meeting as the GRAMA application) as presented. A member identified in the record only as Tony moved to approve the application and Rebecca seconded. The chair referenced a letter noting prior unanimous approval, called for a voice vote — "All in favor, say aye" — and declared the motion carried.
Staff emphasized the timing: the state’s grant award letters are due June 30, which gives the department about 30 days after award notification to finalize budgets and present them to county council. Members noted prior years’ shifting deadlines and said having award results before council review would be helpful.
The meeting concluded with scheduling items and a motion to adjourn.