Hudson County approves one‑year contract to house juveniles in Essex; commissioners press on cost and services

The Hudson County Board introduced a one‑year shared services agreement to house Hudson County juveniles at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026, at a not‑to‑exceed total of $3,396,253.

County Administrator Abraham Antun told commissioners the arrangement is for fewer than 100 juveniles and that the county guaranteed 20 beds. Commissioner Robert Baselice asked specifically how many youths would be housed; Antun replied, "Less than a hundred. It was a guaranteed 20." Commissioners pressed administration on a sharp per‑day cost increase compared with adult contract rates: one exchange in the transcript referenced an adult contract average of about $125 per day versus juvenile rates discussed in the meeting near $325 per day.

Commissioner William O'Dea raised concerns that, while counties are increasing costs to ship juveniles to other counties, the receiving facilities do not always provide the full scope of educational or rehabilitative services Hudson County expects. "Are the services that we used to provide being provided to our kids? No," O'Dea said, noting statewide hearings and conversations about opening regional facilities and legislative oversight.

County officials said some counties are trying to exit the juvenile detention business, and the higher rate quoted by Essex reflected market pressure and facility costs; Antun said Essex was attempting to keep Hudson County's rate lower than what other non‑geographic counties pay.

The shared services contract was placed on the caucus agenda and will appear for formal action at the public meeting; the caucus transcript records the dollar figure and commissioners’ concerns but does not include a roll‑call vote tally.