The Marshall County Commissioners conducted their last meeting of the year on Wednesday, December 31st.
The first order of business was consideration of a contract with Muskegon River Youth Center for juvenile detention services. James Pheibush and Mary Jane Walsworth attended the meeting to answer questions.
The new contract included a clause for transportation services which have been included in the last contract. Pheibush explained the $149 charge would be for transportation services of juveniles who haven’t’ actually been detained by the county. The Indiana DOC offers diagnostic services at no cost but having a deputy transport a juvenile takes officers off the road for hours at a time. Pheibush said having diagnostic services with Muskegon River Youth Center would require a 30 day detention a $119 per day.
The regular transportation for detained juveniles from Marshall County to the Muskegon Center will not have a cost.
The other change in the contract adds liability to the county up to $2,500 if a detainee damages the facility. Walsworth noted that two juveniles broke out of the center this summer and did extensive damage to a door. She said the two are currently in the Marshall County Jail and have been waived to adult court. The probation department offered to pay for the damages but Muskegon River Youth Center never sent an invoice for the damages.
Commissioner Jack Roose questioned where the funds would come from to cover any damage assessments and Walsworth indicated they would use the care of inmates line item to cover any charges.
