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Tehama supervisors authorize juvenile phone agreement after staff clarify youths cannot be charged
Summary
The board approved a contract allowing Inmate Phone Services (ITS) to provide telephone service for the juvenile hall; staff clarified state rules now require free calls for youth and juvenile‑funds will cover the service, making the county’s projected 30% commission effectively zero.
The Tehama County Board of Supervisors voted May 5 to authorize the chief probation officer to sign an agreement with Inmate Phone Services (ITS) to provide telephone service at the county juvenile detention facility.
Board members moved and seconded the item after public questions about retroactive paperwork and who pays for calls. The contract language shown to the board states ITS would remit a 30% commission of gross revenues to the county with a maximum compensation not to exceed $30,000 for the year effective Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2026. During discussion staff clarified that state rules no longer allow charging juveniles for phone calls; therefore, the revenue line in practice will be zero and juvenile program funds will be used to pay for the service.
Probation staff explained the calling system is mandated to allow youth access to family and counsel. County staff answered public queries about current rates and how accounts are billed, noting supporting documentation in the meeting packet shows a per‑minute calling chart but that all juvenile calls must be provided free under recent state guidance. Supervisor Hansen moved the agreement and Supervisor Jones seconded. The roll call vote recorded all supervisors in favor and the measure passed unanimously.
The board left open any follow‑up by county staff if additional clarifications are needed from the chief probation officer about implementation or legacy billing. The board discussed holding the county‑level paperwork to align with the state mandate and ensuring juvenile funds cover costs going forward.
The board’s recorded action: motion to authorize signature of the juvenile inmate phone agreement (moved by Supervisor Hansen; seconded by Supervisor Jones); outcome: approved, unanimous vote.
