Board Meeting December 16, 2009

Approval of three separate union contracts highlighted Wednesday�s meeting of the Corrections Commission of Northwest Ohio. The contracts still require the approval of the three unions that represent the corrections officers, corrections supervisors and case managers employed at CCNO.

The action was taken after members met in executive session for 24 minutes to discuss contract negotiations and pending litigations. No action was taken in regards to pending litigations.

Under the three-year agreement, employees will receive a 1 percent wage increase in 2010 with a reopening wage clause for 2011 and 2012. Employees will see an increase in their health insurance deductibles as well as for prescription co-pays. A vision plan for employees only is being offered while there will be a slight increase in dental coverage.

CCNO Executive Director Jim Dennis said �Everyone knows that tax revenue is down for all our member jurisdictions. The agreement is a reasonable compromise.�

In his operational report, Mr. Dennis reported that $9,985.28 was collected during the month of November as a result of implementing the pay-for-stay plan on Nov. 2. Under the plan, inmates are charged an initial $100 booking fee upon being incarcerated at CCNO. When released, the inmate receives a bill for the length of stay with the current per diem rate of 67.77. Mr. Dennis said Intellitech, the collection agency hired by the board to oversee pay-for-stay, is responsible for obtaining payments for the length of stay and is collecting funds.

Mr. Dennis said Wednesday�s inmate population at 513 or 80 percent. The reduction in population has allowed one 75-bed unit to be closed to reduce costs. During the month of October, the inmate population averaged 560 or 88 percent and in November at 559 or 88 percent.

He reported that CCNO switched library contract providers with services now being provided by the Williams County Public Library. A previous contract with Defiance Public Library was ended due to budget changes.

Mr. Dennis asked area judges to do anything they can to help free up medium security cells at CCNO. He said medium security cells are needed to house more and more misdemeanants with violent behavior, mental health issues, pretrial felons and prison transports. He noted that medium cells are being utilized by some 25 inmates being housed awaiting return or transport to prison. He said anything local judges can do to help the situation would be greatly appreciated.

Board members authorized Mr. Dennis to look into a potential grant that could finance a re-entry program at CCNO. Mr. Dennis said the grant is available through the family justice initiative and the program has a Jan. 15 application deadline.

Members approved switching vending companies from CoinOp/Canteen to Maumee Valley Vending Service. Three bids were received from vending companies. It was agreed to make the switch to Maumee Valley who had the best commission rate.

Members tabled action on a request from Williams County officials to be compensated for prosecution costs when an inmate is charged with damaging CCNO property or assaulting CCNO staff. Since CCNO is located within Williams County, any criminal charges filed against an inmate housed at CCNO are investigated by the Williams County Sheriff�s Department and brought before the appropriate municipal or common pleas court.