Taking care of year-end items highlighted Wednesday’s meeting of the Corrections Commission of Northwest Ohio.

Members were advised of a projected $408,000 carryover in funds for 2006 although they were asked to offset a $160,000 increase in unanticipated employee health insurance costs as well as $18,000 in additional computer hardware and servers for network improvement purposes.  With approval granted, the remaining carryover is estimated at $230,000.

Members also approved the purchase and installation of a new 60-pound washer with costs estimated at $11,645.  It will replace a washer that had been in operation since the facility was built 16 years ago.

In his operational report, Executive Director Jim Dennis reported Wednesday’s inmate population at 577 or 90 percent.  The population averaged 594 or 93 percent in October and 602 or 94 percent in November.  He noted that jail doors have been closed 13 times to date in 2006, an increase from a previous high of six closures in 2004.  Part of the increase in closures was due to a change in commission policy requiring jail doors to be closed when the population exceeds 610 for one day vs. a three-day requirement in the past.

Mr. Dennis said plans continue to move forward in providing video arraignment services to the courts in Defiance County, Lucas County and the City of Toledo.  He hopes that the systems will be in operation by mid 2007.

Board members authorized Mr. Dennis and electronic monitoring staff to meet with juvenile judges in the four-county area to determine if there is an interest in CCNO electronic monitoring services.  Mr. Dennis said CCNO officials currently collect about 70 percent in revenue funds from adult participants and additional revenue would be helpful to continue the electronic monitoring program. Members noted that any agreement involving juveniles would have to be cost effective.