Carlin council directs city attorney to notify state of alleged breach at Conservation Honor Camp

Mayor Dana Holbrook raised concerns that the Conservation Honor Camp's classification had been changed and that the state had repeatedly failed to provide inmate work crews the city relies on for labor. Richard Braithwaite told council staff had discovered two financial liens placed on city property by the state without the city's permission and that the camp's official classification had changed to a "protected class" facility. "I believed those assurances may have been exaggerated," the mayor said when discussing prior state commitments about the camp population.

Councilmembers discussed public-safety concerns after an incident Mayor Holbrook recounted of an unsupervised inmate approaching him in a city park. Councilmember Denise Taylor pushed for formal legal action, saying the city attorney should send a letter demanding answers about the classification change and the liens. City Manager Richard Braithwaite said he previously offered an alternative parcel to the director but received no response. After discussion, Vice Mayor Cameron Kinney moved to authorize the city attorney to submit a letter to the Department of Corrections asserting breach of contract; Denise Taylor seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Council members emphasized the action was intended to compel communication and compliance while preserving the inmate crew program if the state would restore contract terms. The council additionally discussed contingency planning, including the possibility of hiring temporary staff if inmate crews were abruptly withdrawn.