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Drug court officials say special-revenue fund shortfall will require county support
Summary
Judge Lee Wilson said the drug court program is near its 150-participant goal (135 currently) but warned that fees and fines that supported staff have dwindled, and asked the county to share funding responsibility to avoid reductions in services and positions.
Judge Lee Wilson reported the drug court program has 135 participants toward a 150 goal but warned that the special revenue fund that once supported employees has declined. "We have 135 now, so we are progressing towards the goal for our drug court," Wilson said, then explained that fees and fines that historically funded the program have fallen because the case mix now includes longer-term inpatient treatment (particularly for opioid addiction), reducing collections.
Wilson said the court is not asking for new positions or raises but for the county to "share in the burden" of operating the program as grant and fee revenue phases out; Administrator Angela Parkinson added that fees are modest (about $75 per month) and the program's demographics mirror Shelby County's population. Both asked the commission to consider short-term county funding to avoid cutting program positions and services.
