Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 2/18/2020
Item Status: New
From: Wayne Dyess, County Administrator
Submitted by: Keri Green, Commission Executive Assistant
______________________________________________________________________
ITEM TITLE
Title
Request for the Use of the Baldwin County Central Annex Auditorium for Baldwin County Veterans Court Graduation
Body
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve the request of the Honorable Michelle Thomason, Presiding District Court Judge, to use the Baldwin County Central Annex Auditorium on March 31, 2020, beginning at 6:00 p.m., for the Veterans Court Graduation.
End
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Previous Commission action/date: N/A
Background: Commission staff received a request on December 18, 2019 from the office of Honorable Michelle Thomason, Presiding District Court Judge, to use the Baldwin County Central Annex Auditorium on March 31, 2020, for the Veterans Court Graduation, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Between 40 and 80 people are expected to be in attendance. Due to the event being held after the facility’s hours of operation and the need for assistance from the Communications & Information Systems (CIS) department, this will require overtime for Baldwin County Commission staff.
The Baldwin County Veterans Court Program is only for men and women who are currently serving or who have previously served in the United States Armed Forces including service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve. The Veterans Court is a court-supervised program coupled with intensive treatment and supervision for criminal offenders. The program is designed specifically for persons who have criminal charges pending that are likely related to substance abuse or mental health issues.
The Veterans Court Program is a voluntary program which includes regular court appearances before the designated Veterans Court judge and involves drug and alcohol treatment, random drug testing, support group meetings, vocational or job counseling, educational classes and community supervision. The Veterans Court program has three phases and those in the program must complete all phases successfully to graduate. The program requires a minimum of 12 months participation.
Successful completion and graduation from the program diverts participants from jail. Eligibility for graduation is determined by the judge, the court team, probation and treatment. Participants are eligible when all treatment and program requirements are met. Graduation requirements include no missed, abnormal or positive drug tests for six months, being employed or attending school full time or being exempted, having a high school diploma or receiving a GED, completing the treatment and case management plan, payment in full of Veterans Court Program fees and completing volunteer requirements.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: The possibility of approximately 2-5 hours overtime pay for one Administration staff member and one CIS staff member.
Budget line item(s) to be used:
Administration: 51992.5103
CIS: In the event a salaried employee cannot attend, line item 51965.5103 will be used for hourly employee.
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? Funds available in Overtime Line Item.
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: February 18, 2020
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Commission Staff - Send notification of the Commission’s decision to:
Judge Michelle Thomason - Michell.Thomason@alacourt.gov
Raina Macks - auburnt@hotmail.com
Cc: Wayne Dyess
Keri Green
Brian Peacock
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): N/A
Additional instructions/notes: N/A