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Jail population fell and probation caseloads rose, county reports show
Summary
Annual reports showed the jail had a lower average daily population than in prior years, ongoing maintenance and staffing needs, and probation staff reported heavy caseloads and reduced grant funding; officials highlighted cost pressures and recent grant awards.
County officials presented annual reports from the jail and the probation office, outlining population trends, staffing pressures, maintenance needs and recent grant awards.
The jail report noted about 760 bookings last year and an average daily population of about 98, below recent historical averages of 120–140. The administrator said staffing remains a challenge, listed several unfunded maintenance projects (roof, sprinkler system, intercom and body-scanner upgrades) and said the new gate installation is working well. He reported two open corrections officer positions and said medical costs fell as inmate population declined.
Probation staff reported an annual operating cost of $939,022.44, 12 full-time staff (including eight probation officers), 1,181 cases supervised last year and an average active caseload around 603 offenders at any given time. The office said it received DOC grant funding (about $130,935 in one year, later reduced to roughly $104,000) and a new $7,600 community-foundation grant that funded radios for field work. Probation staff emphasized that current caseloads exceed recommended averages (they cited recommended caseloads of 40–60 per officer), and that the office had adjusted supervision levels for low-risk misdemeanor offenders to reduce appointment volume.
Both presenters said they would return to the board if grant funding changes or major maintenance needs require budget adjustments. Commissioners did not take substantive policy action during those reports, but thanked staff for the updates.
