In June, Sheriff Bill Martin, Under-sheriff Kevin Davidson, and Angie Eads, Director for the Sixth Judicial District Community Corrections, spoke with Commissioners Mika Milburn and David Beerbower about the possibility of saving the county money by changing their juvenile detention center provider.
During that meeting, Undersheriff Davidson stated that the county could have saved $50,000 in 2023 if it had switched to Johnson County’s program, and potentially more than $50,000 in 2024. County Clerk Susan Walker said the cost for the Girard program increased by $36,000 from 2024 to 2025 and noted that implementing the Sheriff’s suggestion would save money “right off the bat.”
Sheriff Martin had made a similar suggestion back in 2019 when the juvenile detention facility was charging a daily rate instead of the formula that is used today. That daily rate was $400+. The commissioners stated a concern that with changing laws, the alternatives might not remain in compliance and leaving the contract would make it impossible to rejoin.
At the June 23rd commission meeting, Mike Walden, director for the SEK Juvenile Detention Center in Girard came along with some administrators from the facility and some of the center’s board members to speak with the commission about the history of the center, anticipated changes in the law regarding the detention of juveniles, and the importance of Bourbon County continuing to use it as its juvenile detention resource. The amount Bourbon County pays is based on the 4-year usage history and the assessed value/population of Bourbon County. (2023 formula shown here.)
He pointed out that Bourbon County is a 1/10th owner of the facilities based on a previous investment of around $400,000. Ownership would be forfeited if Bourbon County chooses to cease using the facility.
Bourbon County Commissioner David Beerbower is a member of the Detention Center board, and Mr. Walden invited him to attend a board meeting to bring up any concerns about the pricing. He pointed out that no one from Bourbon County has come to a board meeting since 2022.
The June 23rd discussion seemed to end with a plan for Mr. Walen to reach out to Sheriff Martin and for the commissioners to ask the center’s board for a better agreement for Bourbon County.
At the July 21st commission meeting, it was noted that the county had missed the July 1 window to end the current contract for Juvenile Detention services with the Girard Juvenile Detention Center. The county is unable to change services until 2027.
Beerbower moved to terminate juvenile detention services with the Girard Juvenile Detention Center for the 2027 budget year. The motion passed unanimously.
Linn County had a similar discussion in the past, and it was pointed out that the Johnson County facility was full and needed to send juveniles elsewhere. The Girard facility said that their daily rate for non-members was going to be three times the normal per diem, which would have come to over $500 per person per day at the time.