Amador County – Amador County Supervisors last week approved hiring a probation officer and a sheriff’s deputy using state realignment funds from AB-109.

Chief Probation Officer Mark Bonini said the new Community Corrections Partnership administrative committee had made some recommendations for new hires needed due to realignment of prisoners and early releases brought by AB109. He said the “state also realigned funding,” and based on conservative numbers, they would like to hire one Probation Officer right away, then build a contingency with the rest of the funds. They also plan to hire a sheriff’s deputy.

The request also sought another deputy, another probation officer, a correctional sergeant, and a behavioral health rehabilitation specialist. Bonini said they hope to address needs in the most cost-effective way possible, starting with the two hires. The Community Corrections Partnership Committee has now met five times and will eventually bring a plan to Supervisors for approval, Bonini said. They area already seeing probation releases “trickle in the door,” with five releases in October, 2-4 more expected in November. Supervisor Louis Boitano said California State Association of Counties is seeking a referendum for a constitutional amendment to fund the realignment. Supervisor Chairman John Plasse said the CCP should retain some reserves for when the state “turns this into a political football.”

Bonini said the funding is through June 30, 2012, they have not spent any of the money, and they plan to spend wisely and have a contingency, in case the state cuts funding, so maybe the funds can carry the Corrections Partnership for a couple of months.

Supervisor Richard Forster said the county should work on its budget to keep these hires, because one or two years down the road, when the money dries up, “there is a good chance the state’s not going to follow through with funding.”

Bonini said they were not relying on passage of a constitutional amendment, because they cannot say it will happen, but the people he can use for overseeing new probationers are already overseeing people on a 140-to-one ratio.

Supervisor Brian Oneto said it might “behoove you to offer the job at a lesser rate of pay,” because they should still have a lots of applicants. Bonini said getting trained, experienced and wise employees would require less up-front training. He said employee groups set the rates, depending on level of experience.

Bonini said “jobs aren’t fruitful out there. These are good positions.” He expected they would get “300 applications for these two positions.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.