Item Description:
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Neg Amds to Agmts with seven Counties to temporarily board Hennepin County detainees at their county jail or county correctional facility, estimated dates 12/03/24-05/30/25, increasing NTE by $3,875,000 to a total combined NTE of $5,420,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate Amendments to Agreements with seven Minnesota counties, to temporarily board Hennepin County detainees at their county jail or county correctional facility during the estimated period of December 3, 2024 through May 30, 2025, increasing the estimated combined not to exceed amount by $3,875,000 to a total combined not to exceed amount of $5,420,000; and that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Amendments on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that once all Amendments have been signed, a memorandum will be submitted to the County Board of Commissioners with details for each Amendment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office will provide a daily update to the County Board on the number of detainees being annexed and the location of annexing; along with the additional costs to transport annexed detainees; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that decisions regarding annexing detainees should prioritize:
• Utilization of electronic home monitoring,
• Utilization of the Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility,
• Proximity to Hennepin County,
• Court process (e.g. awaiting substance use court assessment, pre-sentence investigation, mental health evaluation, access to counsel),
• Continuity of services offered to detainees (e.g. mental health treatment, health services, family access and stability, language supports), and
• Total costs related to transportation or staffing; and
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that County Administration is directed to create a rapid response team (composed of all involved with the recruitment and hiring of Detention staff) focused entirely on hiring to increase speed and attention to bringing new staff onboard; including a weekly report showing:
• Number of people responding to posting
• Number of people screened out by County HR
• Number of candidates presented to HCSO
• Number of interviews scheduled
• Results of those interviews
• Background checks initiated
• Offers of employment
• Acceptance of offers
• Date to start
• How people show up on 1st day; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Sheriff’s office will deliver a written plan by the end of February, beginning of March to address the strategy, programming and resources for long term solutions.
Background:
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. §387.11, it is the responsibility of the Hennepin County Sheriff to ensure that detainees in custody are kept safe and secure. Contingency plans have been developed to meet responsibilities to detainees in custody. These Agreements may be activated when portions of the Hennepin County Jail are closed for maintenance and repairs, or when jail population counts exceed approved capacity.
On October 31, 2024, the Minnesota Department of Corrections sent a conditional license order to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, directing the Sheriff’s Office to reduce its detainee population at the Adult Detention Center (ADC) to 600 inmates by November 14, 2024.
The available capacity at the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility (ACF) will be the first priority when considering placement of Hennepin County detainees.
The other counties will provide secure custody, care, and safekeeping of Hennepin County detainees in their county jail or county correctional facility. This includes providing the same level of medical care and services provided to their detainees.
Pursuant to this proposed board action, Hennepin County will negotiate new Amendments to current Agreements with the following Minnesota counties:
Amendments to new Agreements signed following the November 19, 2024 County Board mtg
• PR00006803 Anoka County, Amendment 1 increasing the not to exceed amount from $100,000 to a new NTE of $344,000
• PR00006881 Goodhue County, Amendment 1 increasing the not to exceed amount from $100,000 to a new NTE of $192,000
• PR00006880 Ramsey County, Amendment 1 increasing the not to exceed amount from $100,000 to a new NTE of $413,000
• PR00006675 Sherburne County, Amendment 1 increasing the not to exceed amount from $100,000 to a new NTE of $749,000
Amendments to prior Agreements expiring on December 31, 2026
• PR00004799 Chisago County, Amendment 1 Increasing the not to exceed amount from $130,000 to a new NTE of $543,000
• PR00006216 Scott County, Amendment 1 increasing the not to exceed amount from $455,000 to a new NTE of $568,000
• PR00005672 Wright County, Amendment 1 increasing the not to exceed amount from $560,000 to a new NTE of $2,611,000
In addition, The County has other existing Agreements with sufficient NTE’s not being amended
• PR00004798 Carver County with an NTE of $180,000
• PR00003848 Washington County with an NTE of $231,000
The total cost of all Agreements (combined NTE of $5,831,000) will be partially funded by:
• $1,045,000 from the Jail’s 2025 budget for annexing
• $433,887 from the Jail’s 2024 budget for annexing
• $300,000 in savings from the Jail’s budget. Savings would be realized from a reduction of detainee meals, clothing, supplies, etc.
• $200,000 from the Jail’s medical budget. Potential medical costs are built into the NTE amount but will come from the Jail’s existing medical budget.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval