Board Meeting April 22, 2009

Officials approved a 7 percent emergency cost reduction plan during Wednesday�s lengthy meeting of the Corrections Commission of Northwest Ohio. At the same time, officials are asking for more reductions while looking at ways to increase revenues to include rental of unused beds and implementing a pay for stay policy.

The cuts made in the 2009 operating budget totaled $466,075 along with a $116,435 reduction in capital improvements and credit revenues of $625,293 for a total savings of $1,207,803. The budget cut reduced the per diem rate from $71.15 to $68.65 per day.

The $466,075 in cuts include a hiring freeze while five staff members will be referred from support to security duties to minimize overtime. Contracted services for medical, food, maintenance, GED, library, and computer technology will be reduced along with a reduction in training, travel, janitorial supplies, cleaning supplies, office supplies, staff uniform allowances, inmate clothing and the employee assistance program. Officials also plan to trim the number of prison runs from twice a week to once a week when possible, amounting to a savings of $20,000.

One proposal to eliminate the New Beginnings substance abuse program was kept intact at the request of Toledo Municipal Court Judge Timothy Kuhlman. He voiced that area judges utilize the program that not only provides treatment and refers individuals to continual treatment upon release as well as housing assistance. He feared that the loss of the program would be more costly than the $26,300 savings with more non-treated inmates going back to a life of crime, prostitution and alcohol/drug abuse. He said officials can�t afford a �lock�em up and throw away the key� approach as such programs are needed to stop repeat offenders.

The overall cost reduction plan amounts to a savings of $56,609 for Defiance County; $44,739 for Fulton County; $32,869 for Henry County; $179,865 for Lucas County; $44,739 for Williams County and $223,689 for the City of Toledo.

The $625,293 in additional revenues includes telephone commissions, social security incentives, interest on accounts and bed overage fees.

Defiance County Commissioner Otto Nicely is asking jail officials to look at cutting an additional $500,000 from the current budget. He noted that area cities and counties are being forced to layoff staff and CCNO may not be exempt from such a practice.

Mr. Dennis noted five staff positions were unfunded in the 2009 budget. Efforts are underway to continue to reduce operating costs, he said, to include the temporary closing of one 60-bed unit which amounts to a reduction in staff overtime, food usage and utility costs. Mr. Dennis noted Wednesday�s population stood at 514 or 81percent.

Officials are looking at contracting with Intellitech to implement a pay for stay policy. Under the proposal, booking and jail fees would be collected to offset CCNO operating costs. It was noted that the Lucas County Jail uses Intellitech and collected some $358,000 in 2008. CCNO jail officials are hopeful that a similar amount or more would be collected. The proposed contract with Intellitech will be reviewed by the CCNO Financial Overview Committee with a recommendation to be made at the June Board meeting.

Another revenue option officials continue to consider is the rental of unused CCNO beds. Mr. Dennis said he will let Ohio officials know that CCNO has some 10 to 20 beds to rent. However, he added that there is currently no interest by outside jurisdictions to rent CCNO beds as jail bed use is down across the state and other jurisdictions are dealing with budget cuts. Mr. Dennis said if there continues to be empty beds; units will be closed in an effort to reduce costs.

In other business, members authorized a reduced capital budget of $80,667 for improvements to be spent for security cameras, parking lot improvements, computer replacement equipment and roof repairs.

Members met in executive session for 14 minutes to discuss union negotiations and personnel. No action was taken.