Commissioners table DLZ amendment to study direct supervision on jail floors amid budget concerns

Chair introduced an amendment to DLZ's architectural and engineering contract to assess the feasibility and cost of converting Floors 3 and 4 of the Lucas County Correctional Center to a direct supervision model and invited the sheriff to comment.

Sheriff (speaker7) told the board direct supervision is a nationally used model that can improve safety for inmates and corrections officers and said DLZ had provided preliminary drawings; he described potential operational savings but said specifics require the DLZ report. "Allowing them to tell us that information doesn't make a commitment," he said.

Several commissioners pushed back on proceeding without a clear financing or staffing plan. One commissioner cited a DLC back‑of‑napkin estimate of about $15 million per floor and asked for a detailed plan showing how operational savings would offset capital costs. That commissioner moved to table the amendment until the sheriff and staff can deliver a plan with cost and staffing details.

The clerk called the roll on the motion to table; the recorded votes were two in favor, one opposed, and the motion to table succeeded. Commissioners said they remain open to reviewing a detailed plan and reiterated concerns about budget priorities and public‑employee health care costs before committing to further study or construction.

The board did not approve the amendment today and directed staff to prepare a more detailed cost/savings and staffing proposal for future consideration.