A bond referendum is on the ballot for Greene County voters to consider.
It is whether or not the county should build a new county jail to not exceed $12,685,000. According to Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams, the current facility has not been in compliance with state code for several years, but the jail has been grandfathered in. Part of the non-compliance issues is taking inmates to unsecured areas of the current building, including getting them from their cell to the exercise room in the basement. The building also does not have a secure public access point.
The Sheriff’s Office also states that due to its aging infrastructure, failing plumbing and HVAC system, and the inability to get replacement parts, the county has determined the current jail would need to close in the next 2-4 years.
It is estimated that if the current jail was to close and the county was without a jail facility, it would cost taxpayers about 1,092,000 per year and they would have to hire four more deputies and outfit them for an initial cost of $700,000 for the first year and $500,000 every year after that. If a new jail is built, the operating cost would be $695,000 annually. Voting is taking place today at the Greene County Auditor’s Office from 8am-4:30pm and all polls are open tomorrow from 7am-8pm.
Anyone with questions about the bond referendum can contact the Sheriff’s Office at 515-386-2136. You can also click the link below to be taken to an information page.