Bradley County Juvenile Court Director Terry Gallaher said the juvenile court makes more than $80,000 a year in revenue though contracted prison holding, citations, court fees and leasing office space. Eighty percent of this revenue is kept to pay salaries of those who work in the program. Many of the positions are part time.
These ideas were developed after Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis asked the department to develop ways to create sustainable funding. Last year, all county departments experienced a 4 percent decrease in funding, according to Gallaher. Because of this more than $30,000 of revenue from the Juvenile Court was moved into the Bradley County general fund.
Gallaher said allowing the court to keep the revenue keeps it from having to ask the Commission for additional money for salaries.
Commissioner Brian Smith asked how this was different than the misdemeanor probation program’s finance request. It was pointed out that for misdemeanor probation, the funds were excess revenue, while for the Juvenile Court the funds are needed to sustain the program. The misdemeanor program had requested that it be given excess revenue to set aside for office space. The finance committee told the program to come back next year with the request.
The recommendation, proposed by Commissioner Adam Lowe to the finance committee, was passed unanimously.
Gallaher also made the committee aware of the need to put a lightning rod on the building. He said the building had been struck twice, causing thousands of dollars in damage to computers and surveillance systems.
