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Indian River County Administrator Joseph Baird provided an overview of IRC’s jail situation. Currently the capacity is 453 beds and the inmate population is running over 620. Minimum-security prisoners have been temporarily relocated to the County Fairgrounds until the new facility is built. IRC is looking at some of the same measures as St. Lucie County; such as hiring a Criminal Justice Coordinator, estimated to cost $300,000. Plans, based on a study completed in 2003, to add an additional 256 beds will bring their capacity to 709 beds. However, in 16 months they will open the new jail which will immediately be at capacity. Eleven million dollars has been set aside for this construction. The Board approved an additional 128 beds which will bring the cost to 21 million. The main concern is the operating budget and it is believed that adding beds will offset the operating cost by bringing in other prisoners. They also are looking at Alachua County’s Program. 12. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS Commissioner Wheeler asked if SLC has had favorable responses to the measures they have taken. He asked to be notified so he could attend the presentation of the pretrial services program. He felt maybe IRC should look at implementing some of the recommendations from this study which may prolong the need for additional facilities. He requested a copy of the video of the study to discuss with the Criminal Justice Committee. He did not think it was feasible to build with the anticipation of offsetting the cost with revenue from bringing in prisoners from other places. 13. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Hutchinson opened the floor to the public for comment. Bill Hearn, a north St. Lucie County resident, was excited that Indian River County and St. Lucie County were joining together and sharing ideas. He hoped that this practice continues. May 25, 2005 8 Second Joint Meeting with St. Lucie County BCC