To mitigate the high cost of the proposed jail plan, a motion by County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich requesting that the Sheriff’s Department and the Chief Executive Officer explore less costly alternatives including public-private partnerships and contracting with other entities for jail beds was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors.

In his motion, Antonovich suggested that construction costs could be absorbed by the contractor in exchange for the County’s guarantee to enter into a long term lease payment on a daily cost-per-bed basis or simply contract with other entities for additional jail beds to avoid construction costs at Pitchess Detention Center or the replacement of Men’s Central Jail.

The revised jail plan, which was presented to the board last week, is due back to the board next Tuesday.  Given the high cost of the proposal plan, other less costly alternatives should be aggressively explored that meet the County’s needs, such as a public-private partnership where all associated construction costs are absorbed by the contractor in exchange for the County’s guarantee to a long term lease payment on a cost per bed per day basis.

Another option could be to simply contract with other entities for additional jail beds to avoid construction costs at Pitchess Detention Center and replacement of Men’s Central Jail.

Antonovich’s motion read as follows:

“I, therefore, move that the Board of Supervisors request the Sheriff, in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer, to explore less costly alternatives to the revised jail plan for the board’s October 25th meeting, including a public-private partnership where all associated construction costs are absorbed by the contractor in exchange for the County’s guarantee to a long term lease payment on a cost per bed per day basis as well as contracting with other entities for jail beds.”Along with a unanimous vote to establish a “Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence,” the Board of Supervisors approved a series of recommendations for the Sheriff’s implementation and consideration.

One of the recommendations submitted by Antonovich was to reduce the time newly-sworn deputies are required to serve in the jails before being assigned to patrol.  Currently, they serve between three and five years before being assigned to patrol.

Antonovich also appointed retired Judge Dickran Tevrizian, a Pasadena resident who served on the Los Angeles Municipal Court from 1972 to 1978 and served on the California Superior Court in Los Angeles from 1978 to 1982, to the Citizens’ Commission.  Nominated by President Ronald Reagan, he was confirmed to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Central District of California on December 16, 1985.  Tevrizian assumed senior status on August 5, 2005, before retiring in 2007.

“Through his unique experience and keen judgment, Judge Tevrizian has demonstrated his solid credibility and integrity as a jurist and as a public servant,” said Antonovich.  “He will be a valuable asset to this commission.”