FINANCIAL CONCERNS SLOW FELONY DRUG COURT PLANS

Ontario County Judge Craig Doran's plans to launch a felony drug
court early next month could get complicated if the plan does not
receive support from the Board of Supervisors.

CANANDAIGUA - At a May 9 meeting that was consumed by talks of heavy
budget cuts for the coming fiscal year, the board opted to delay
voting on a resolution supporting the felony drug court.

Drug courts, which are being tried across the state, create
alternatives to jail for individuals who plead guilty to or are
convicted of some non-violent drug offenses. Defendants are ordered
to undergo treatment, regularly submit to drug tests and make
appearances before the bench.

Ontario County already has a drug court for misdemeanors.

County board Chairman Don Ninestine of Geneva said the board supports
the drug court concept. The issue, he said, is whether a felony
Finger Lakes Drug Court would strain county resources, such as
probation.

The board asked County Administrator Geoff Astles to look into the
matter and report back on May 30.

"Everybody wants the drug court to exist, but the question is 'How do
we pay for it?'" said Geneva City Supervisor Robert "Rocky" LaRocca.

"We are not asking for a dime from the county," said Doran,
explaining that he's perplexed about what the county needs.

This drug court, like the misdemeanor drug court launched in
Canandaigua in 2000, is funded completely by state grant money, he
said.

Doran acknowledged that the drug court team meetings do require
personnel time each week from some county departments, such as
probation and Turnings, the county's anti-drug program.

Doran insisted that the drug court will be launched, with or without
supervisors' support. He said the county is mandated to supply
attorneys to prosecute and defend. He acknowledged that supervisors
could pull back the support of other county agencies, but he added,
"That would be one of the most nonsensical things I could imagine."

He added that there are no indications that lead him to believe that
is going to happen.

Phelps Supervisor Carmen Orlando said he also supports the drug court
but is concerned about the impact in this tight fiscal year. If the
board opts not to support the resolution, that doesn't necessarily
mean that county agencies won't participate. Orlando said he hasn't
thought through exactly what the county should do if the board opts
not to support the resolution right now.

"I don't know how it could go forward without the support of these
people," Ninestine said.

Ontario County Probation Director Ronald Lippincott said it remains
to be seen how much the felony drug court might stretch his
department's resources. He said probation is participating in
Canandaigua's drug court with its existing resources, and there are
early indications that the drug court may be having a positive impact
on people.

Canandaigua City Court Judge Stephen Aronson, who presides over the
misdemeanor drug court, said he understands the county's concerns and
is trying to find ways with Doran to minimize use of county resources.

District Attorney R. Michael Tantillo said his office is planning to
participate.

Aronson's Friday morning drug court at City Hall takes two hours per
week, in county resources, for attorneys, a probation department
representative, and a Turnings counselor.

Ninestine acknowledged that over time, drug courts save money by
keeping people out of jail. Right now, however, he said it is
difficult to see those savings.