The county commission has approved an office for the state Board of Probation and Parole in the Justice Center. The move will be for six months, after which commissioners hope the state can come up with rent money for the room.

Bill Archer attended last week’s meeting and asked if the Parole office could use the small office space just inside the main entrance on a temporary basis, possibly permanently. He warned “we don’t have any money” but said they would provide their own phone and computer access. He said the Cleveland office is undergoing renovations.

Archer said the state office supervises around 140 probationers in Polk County who have to report for supervision. They are currently using the Benton municipal building. He said having them report at the jail would be a good reminder for them as well as make it more convenient if an arrest is needed and more efficient when court costs are collected. The room would be used two days a week at most.

John Pippenger asked if there is money in the state budget for rent and Archer said he didn’t know where it would come from since there is none now. Pippenger made the motion to let them use the office for six months and see if money is available.