Lincoln County commissioners are moving a little closer to having a new jail addition and renovation in place, although it’s still months away.
During a special meeting in late February, they voted to give the go ahead for final design plans for the jail expansion and renovation.
Sheriff Charlie Dougherty has pointed out that it will take six to eight months to design the plans. He’s indicated he still wants want to change some stuff knowing the designers must stay within jail standards.
In their most recent meeting April 17, commissioners accepted a proposal letter for construction administration of the jail addition and renovation project.
They also officially appointed a committee to interview construction managers for the project as well.
The proposal letter was from BKL, the engineering and architectural firm that has been working with the committee on a proposed design for the jail addition and renovation. The project is estimated to cost around $4.1 million.
County Clerk Alicia Wagnon has explained the construction administration is different than the construction manager in that the administration oversees the entire project.
Nearly two years ago, in July of 2021, Lincoln County voters decisively rejected a $13.5 million general obligation bond issue to build a new jail.
“I’m disappointed. There was a lot of work put into this. We’ll go back to the drawing board,” the sheriff said the night of the election.
County Commission Chairman Lee Doolen said the night following the election, “Looks like the people have spoken. That’s why I love county government. We can ask people and they can tell us yes or no.”
Doolen also pointed out, “We’ll look for another way to do it. This shows county government works,” he believes.
And, having listened to voters, that is exactly what the sheriff, commissioners and the jail committee have done.
Both the sheriff and Doolen have confirmed that to fund the estimated $4.1 million project the committee anticipates using left over ARPA funds.
We think this is a much more plausible approach to funding the jail expansion and renovation project.
They are not asking people in Lincoln County for anything, to approve a bond issue or increase any sales tax.
The sheriff has noted that one half of the jail was was built in 1969 and the other half in 2000.
“We’re trying to be good stewards of the county’s money,” he commented recently.
Dougherty pointed out two months ago he currently has three times the female inmates he’s supposed to have.
He’s licensed for 80 inmates and has, in the past, had up to 134 which is the record. In early March, he had 90.
By using ARPA funds to pay for the project, they are listening to the public who in essence told them nearly two years ago that increasing taxes for a jail is not acceptable.
We think that is wise and exemplifies good stewardship.