BRAINERD, MN - How much can taxpayers from area counties afford to pay for juveniles in trouble?

That continues to be the question for Central Minnesota Community Corrections and, perhaps more pointedly, its juvenile detention center in Brainerd.

Central Minnesota Community Corrections, which operates the juvenile detention facility and adult and juvenile probation services, is supported in part by three counties - Aitkin, Crow Wing and Morrison.

Commissioners from the three counties met Wednesday in Brainerd in a joint session. When the juvenile detention center was hemorrhaging cash about two years ago, the commissioners agreed to make changes.

Michael Kafka, community corrections executive director, was hired to turn things around. Kafka implemented a 22-step correctional program aimed at behavioral change in youths. Efforts focused on changing the center from a correctional structure to one with mental health offerings.

Throughout the process, commissioners and county administrators have been frustrated by a lack of communication between administration and the staff members from probation services and social services, who are instrumental in deciding where to place a juvenile.

Kafka said Wednesday while Morrison County was placing juveniles in the program quite strongly, there was a reluctance from Crow Wing County to do so. Don Meyer, Morrison County commissioner, was critical of Crow Wing County's lack of use of the programming options at the Brainerd facility.

"I thought we were in this together," Meyer said.

"I'm a little dismayed at that too," said Paul Bailey, Aitkin County commissioner.

The debate encompasses the need to pick the program best suited to the individual juvenile's welfare with a desire to have a juvenile center with a stronger revenue stream. Juveniles may have issues of mental health, chemical dependency and criminal behavior. In the past, the Brainerd facility was criticized for its lack of programming.

It takes time to build up the facility's reputation for success and that is happening with counties outside the area who are placing juveniles here, Kafka said. He added it's a matter of convincing people the Brainerd facility has changed.

Kafka said the center is not bleeding money now and while there were four juveniles in the detention center last year at this time, there were 20 juveniles there last weekend.

"We're really very close to break-even at this point," Kafka said. "I'm not saying we are out of the woods."

Increased operating costs have been blamed on state funding reductions and higher energy and health insurance costs.

But Kafka said he was pleased at this point and if the center gets more juveniles consistently officials will have to look at adding staff members or turning youths away. Kafka said he is planning on meeting with juvenile agents before Aug. 1. Commissioners said they hoped staff members had a hint of their frustration level.

Crow Wing County Commissioner Terry Sluss said the question is why people are not using the juvenile center. Crow Wing County Board Chairman Ed Larsen said the facility was not used more because people didn't have confidence Brainerd was the best place for children.

"There does come a time whey you say this doesn't appear to be working," Larsen said.