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Court services warns of layoffs and lost programs after DOC funding cuts
Summary
Jefferson County court services officials told commissioners that a roughly $193,000 cut from the Indiana Department of Corrections and uncertainty about supplemental county or grant funding could force elimination of programs and at least six staff positions, ending many in‑house classes and supervision services.
Jefferson County’s court services director told commissioners the office faces a severe budget shortfall after what she described as roughly a $193,000, or about 30%, reduction in state Department of Corrections funding this year. She said the office would run a projected deficit of about $279,000 if it receives the same state aid as last year but no county supplemental funding or new grants.
"If we get the same amount of funding and we have no county supplemental... we're looking at a deficit of about $279,000," the director (speaker 10) said. She warned that a deficit of that size would require a minimum workforce reduction of six positions and would eliminate in‑house evidence‑based classes, peer recovery coaching and other services that staff said are central to drug court and diversion outcomes. The director said many of those services have demonstrable results but are costly to keep without outside funding.
In describing mitigation steps, the director said the office had already cut three full‑time positions and moved two roles to part time to save nearly $493,000, reduced operating and training budgets, and raised supervision and monitoring fees for clients. She said the office has applied for federal grant programs including Justice Partners (JCAP) and others, but that statewide grant pools have shrunk; she also said there is roughly $100,000 in an old state grant balance the office has repeatedly asked to retain for local use.
Commissioners asked about outreach to state lawmakers; presenters said they had alerted Representatives Zimmerman and Baskin and had received indications the governor’s office might release additional help, but officials cautioned the timing and amount remained uncertain. The discussion concluded with commissioners asking staff to explore short‑term options including reallocating county general funds and identifying potential grant matches.
