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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)

General Services Department (GSD)

Administrative Office of the Courts

New Mexico Association of Counties

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 85 removes the statutory requirement for counties to provide office space for juvenile probation officers.

Significant Issues

Juvenile probation officers (JPOs) are currently housed in county facilities in 28 counties. JPOs were moved administratively from the judicial branch in 1989 when the precursor of the Children, Youth and Families Department was formed. The bill implicitly transfers responsibility for housing JPOs to CYFD. 281 CYFD FTE are currently housed in county facilities.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The bill contains no appropriation.

The bill would have significant recurring impact to the general fund. The costs of leasing alternative space for JPOs would fall to CYFD and the general fund. CYFD estimates recurring costs to the general fund of $1,400.0 for lease payments and other costs which would include utilities, office furniture and communications. This amount is based on an estimated cost study for FY99 which included an average statewide five percent increase in rental fees per year. An additional one-time cost of $168.0 for office set-up and moving costs is also estimated. The bill would affect the office space of 281 FTE.

The bill would have undetermined but positive impact to those counties which currently house JPOs. Counties believe the bill would free up resources they could use to provide other county services.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

GSD reports that its Leasing and Property Management Bureau would have significant increases in workload to assist JPOs in finding lease space in each county.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The state pays operating costs for JPOs, as it does for district courts and district attorneys. County governments contribute to these functions by providing housing.

CYFD raises an issue regarding reimbursement by counties to CYFD for the upgrades to county buildings that CYFD has made to install telecommunications and computer equipment.

The New Mexico Association of Counties believes that JPOs are an area of state responsibility and should be funded entirely by the state.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

Would the benefits of this bill to counties outweigh the costs that would be incurred by CYFD?

LP/ar