Lawmakers raise questions about youth detention costs

Friday, May 30, 1997 | 11:44 a.m.

Assemblywoman Jan Evans, D-Sparks, told Kirby Burgess, director of Clark County Youth and Family Services, that the operating costs "were extraordinarily high."

Evans said the China Springs youth detention center in Douglas County operates a 40-bed facility for $900,000 compared to the 80-bed Spring Mountain center's $4.2 million. The 176-bed Nevada Youth Training Center in Elko, operated by the state, costs $5.6 million.

Assemblyman Jack Close, R-Las Vegas, said he was worried about a "lack of accountability of funds" in the operation of Spring Mountain.

And Assemblyman Lynn Hettrick, R-Minden, said more information is needed before the state puts additional money into Spring Mountain.

Burgess conceded the operating costs were high but said a lot of maintenance is required at the camp, built by the Air Force in 1952 and taken over by Clark County in 1971.

The camp also operates academic and athletic programs, is involved in forestry projects and has a drug program.

Burgess also said the camp has a long-time staff which means higher pay and more benefits than the newer China Springs.

Burgess was before the Assembly Ways and Means Committee pushing AB464, providing $11.7 million in state funds to overhaul the camp and an annual $920,000 in operating costs. The state now allocates $351,000 a year for Spring Mountain.

Burgess said Clark County voters approved a $120 million bond issue for expansion of the jail, a new courthouse and added facilities for youths. But it wasn't enough to cover all the needs and he wants the state to help out in rebuilding the Spring Mountain camp.

Ways and Means Chairman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, said another options would be to turn the state prison at Jean into a youth corrections center. He said the 400-bed facility could be operated by the state or the county.