The Tulsa County Juvenile Bureau appears set to take over a 24-hour juvenile booking and referral facility.
Youth Services Tulsa declined to renew its contract running the Community Intervention Center because of funding issues.
"Assuming everybody came up with the same money as last year and the bureau covered the $101,000, I think, for the administrator of it, including cost in benefits, we're still running short the operating money," said Juvenile Bureau Director Justin Jones.
That would leave the juvenile bureau about $31,000 short. City councilors are considering increasing Tulsa’s contribution by $15,500. Jones said the money helps, he just has a lot to do in a short time.
"Certainly, that is very doable, but we could also, during that period of time, reach out to these other cities," Jones said. "Some have contributed in the past, some have never. And some are fairly heavy users who have never contributed."
Agencies throughout Tulsa County bring juveniles to the booking and referral center.
"We've had officers that are railroad police, highway patrol, fire marshal's office — that have all delivered kids to the CIC," said YST Director Jim Walker. "Some of the tribal police forces have brought kids in, so it is used by basically everyone."
Tulsa city councilors would consider the city's increased contribution as a challenge grant, with the bureau pressing other users and the state for the rest.
