Rain slows construction, but jail moving forward

Construction of the new Williams County Law Enforcement Center is clipping along, Cheryl Badinger, construction manager for the project reported during Tuesday's meeting of the county commissioners.

“We've lost a few days with the rain,” she noted, but “everything's doing good.”

Badinger said crews are presently working on footings and foundations, and are hoping to have the basement dug this week.

The recent moisture has pointed to a recurring problem with water collecting near what will be the inmate entrance to the back of the facility, Badinger said, so costs will be reviewed for repaving the alleyway and installing a concrete stoop. The commissioners will look at that possibility at a future meeting.

Residents of the apartment building adjacent to the site who have had their parking displaced by the project are being advised this week the blue house on the corner of 4th St. and 3rd Ave. W. has been removed, and the space prepared for parking.

While construction moves forward, law enforcement employees work to manage the aging and overcrowded present facility in the meantime.

Jail numbers have fluctuated some recently, Sheriff Scott Busching reported.

“We had a little dip in jail population,” Busching said, “but we are back up to 37 and growing.”

The maximum capacity of the current facility is somewhat dependent on the specific mix of prisoners, taking into account sex and current disposition (awaiting sentencing, sentenced, etc.), but 37 beds are available. The federal standard says a jail is at capacity when it is 80 percent full, partly due to a need to section off different types of prisoners.

Busching also noted a Justice Assistance Grant for $12,000 has been received, and will be split with the Williston Police Department. Grant funds will be used in the next 30 days, and can not go toward purchasing vehicles or brick and mortar projects.

The sheriff said his department is exploring the possibility of using the funds for new light bars to replace the aging ones currently used.

JUVENILE ASSESSMENT

With the resignation of Kathy Varty, director of the Juvenile Assessment Center effective Aug. 1 and fast approaching, a meeting was held recently to discuss the future of the center.

Admission numbers have climbed substantially this year, Varty reported. In the first quarter of 2007, 40 children were admitted, and the second quarter is shaping up to be higher. In 2006, there were 100 admits total.

“It's a good/bad situation - it's good that it's there, but it's bad that it's full,” said Commissioner Dave Montgomery.

A full slate of issues comes along with the center, many of them highlighted due to the loss of the director. The center has been in place for more than 20 years, and has evolved over time to serve the immediate needs of young people from Williams County.

Law enforcement brings the youths to the center, then they must have a court hearing within 96 hours. Then the judge determines who will be responsible for their placement, and how long they will have. For example, Social Services may need to place the child in foster care, or facilitate their return home.

One major issue discussed was the amount of time children can remain in the center. The maximum allowance is 90 days, and many are using that limit.

“I think a lot of it can be handled in a lot less time,” Varty said.

And others agreed. With state placements taking about two weeks and county placements taking weeks longer, board members felt the situation needed further examination.

“We need to fix that,” said Commission Chair Dan Kalil.

Along with increased numbers comes increased costs - substantial hikes. According to Auditor Beth Innis, the cost of running the facility has moved from a few hundred dollars to as much as $30,000 in one month. There was some discussion as to who should be footing that bill. Currently it is coming out of the general fund budget, though several of those present said it should be paid through Social Services.

“There is no free and easy way out of this,” Sheriff Scott Bushing said. But he added that the benefits of having a facility like the Juvenile Assessment Center in Williston make it important to find solutions to make the program work.

“When we can treat the child at home, rather than send them away...there are (countless) dividends in the long run for the community,” he said.

Factors like continuity of school, church and family relationships top the list, Busching noted.

In order to continue running the facility, Montgomery said staffing will need to be addressed - beyond just replacing the resigning director.

Currently there are two full-time employees, including Varty and an assistant director. There is a part-time staffer who works three nights per week, and the remaining shifts of the 24-hour facility are covered by what are called “casual” workers, including teachers and retirees.

A recommendation put forth by Human Resource Generalist Helen Askim to move to a system of one director and three full-time staff members plus the casual workers was examined. Without finalizing a plan, the board granted Askim permission to advertise for those positions.

A committee to address the issues will be formed at a future meeting.

DISASTER PLANNING

Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Ed Lodwig presented the board with a 3-year disaster exercise plan, funded by a grant from Homeland Security. Lodwig said the specifics of the plan are still being worked out, as increases in costs for training and exercise are examined more thoroughly.

TAXES

Legislation passed this year regarding the accepted delinquency period for property taxes will have some scrambling, according to County Treasurer Kari Evenson.

The five-year allowance to recoup late taxes has been reduced to three years beginning at the end of 2007, and includes all accounts currently more than three years out. That means anyone still owing taxes from 2002, 2003, 2004 or 2005 will need to pay or lose their property.

“We have a huge job ahead of us,” Evenson said.

She added that other counties are considering a tax holiday, which would allow people to come in and pay their back taxes without penalty. This holiday would be made available to anyone owing back taxes, not just those at risk of foreclosure, Evenson said.

Auditor Beth Innis suggested a period from August to October. The commissioners will review the idea at their next meeting.

PLANNING AND ZONING

Preliminary conditional platting was approved for the Riverview Country Acres Subdivision, located at County Road 4 and 52nd St. NW in the Judson Township. The property has been zoned for residential and commercial use, and will be finalized on June 11.

The commissioners will hold their next meeting at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 11 in the commission room at the Williams County Courthouse.

Crysta Parkinson can be reached at cparkinson@willistonherald.com.