Becker County approves probation supervision fees for new cases starting July 1

The Becker County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a probation supervision‑fees policy and a matching resolution aimed at capturing court‑ordered supervision fees to offset rising contract costs for probation services. The board approved the policy by voice vote after staff described a tiered fee schedule for new cases.

County staff told the board the policy will assess supervision fees for new cases (gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor and felony) starting July 1 and that the fee schedule in the packet sets amounts at $100, $200 or $300 depending on offense level. Brian, who helped draft the policy, said the plan is to hold the funds in the probation line through the fiscal year and then return to the board to decide how the money will be used for correctional services and programming at year‑end.

Board members said the measure is intended to partially offset anticipated contract increases with the Department of Corrections. Commissioners debated the policy’s effective date and staff confirmed the resolution will specify fees apply to new cases beginning July 1. The board approved both the policy and the resolution by voice vote; the motions carried and staff will implement the collection and annual accounting process described in the packet.

The next administrative step is for staff to finalize resolution language clarifying that fees apply only to new cases from July 1 forward and to maintain the collected revenue in the probation budget line until the board authorizes allocations at fiscal‑year close.