Laramie County Commissioners Postpone Decision on Juvenile Detention Center

Laramie County commissioners pushed back a decision on whether to build a new juvenile detention center after concerns were raised about the potential impacts of the project. The proposal is to build a $7.5 million, 24-bed facility at the Archer Complex, with $4.6 million coming from federal stimulus money and the rest from county bonds. Commissioners were worried about the initial debt and ongoing costs associated with running a new facility, which would take 20 years to pay off a bond debt estimated to be between $2.9 million and $3.5 million. Commissioner Jeff Ketcham expressed concerns about the project's effect on the county budget and whether it would be cheaper to hire a contractor or take over the job.

Key Takeaways:

• The Laramie County commissioners unanimously agreed to postpone the vote on building a new juvenile detention center until April 20.
• The proposed facility would cost $7.5 million, with $4.6 million from federal stimulus money and the rest from county bonds.
• The bond debt for the project is estimated to be between $2.9 million and $3.5 million, taking 20 years to pay off.
• Commissioner Jeff Ketcham is concerned about the project's impact on the county budget and whether hiring a contractor or taking over the job would be cheaper.
• The proposed facility would use a mix of certified officers and civilians to meet varying needs from detention to therapy.
• The county pays $34,000 a month to contract with an agency for juvenile housing services.
• Officials are considering a public-private partnership to run the center, as recommended by the Juvenile Services Joint Powers Board.
• The proposed facility would provide a continuum of services to address the needs of youths who are not a danger to themselves and the community.
• County Commissioner Diane Humphrey noted that officials don't know how to pay for the project and emphasized the importance of transparency.

Statistics:

• The proposed facility would cost $7.5 million.
• The bond debt for the project is estimated to be between $2.9 million and $3.5 million.
• It would take 20 years to pay off the bond debt.
• The county pays $34,000 a month to contract with an agency for juvenile housing services.
• The proposed facility would use a mix of certified officers and civilians to meet varying needs.

Sources:

• Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, "Laramie County Commission Tables Decision on Juvenile Detention Center," by Michelle Dynes, April 7, 2010.
• McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.