Commissioners review options for jail (10/15/07)

Jay County Commissioners received their first glance Monday at how the Jay County Jail might look in the future.

Sheriff Ray Newton, accompanied by representatives from DLZ, an architecture and engineering firm presented them with initial findings from a feasibility study on a potential jail renovation.

The plan calls for expanded administrative office space, room dedicated to enhancing the county's work release program and a few security upgrades, including a room dedicated to video conferencing.

Under schematics produced by DLZ, an extra 27,500-square feet would be added to the existing 13,165-square foot facility. Construction would take place to the north of the current jail at a county-owned lot located at the corner of Ship and West Main streets in Portland.

The concept of adding onto the jail has not been approved by commissioners. Their consent is required for renovation to occur.

The renovated jail also would house the Jay County Emergency Management Agency.

The additional space would be connected to the existing facility by a booking area that would focus on keeping inmates separated, DLZ reps said.

"The goal is to keep them (inmates) separate at all times to avoid passage of contraband," said Eric Ratts of DLZ, adding that new detainees would be isolated from each other in the holding area.

The estimated cost of the renovation would run the county between $6.4 million and $7.5 million, Ratts said.

The bed count inside the security center would jump from about 50 right now to 128 if current designs are approved, Newton said. With money available for housing Indiana Department of Correction inmates and those from other counties, Jay County can earn additional funds by housing inmates in a renovated facility, he added.

"If we house 67 people we can make money," Newton said.

Ratts told commissioners that it would be possible to begin construction in the coming summer. Construction would likely last two years or more.

In other business today, commissioners learned from members of the Jay County Development Corporation that a standoff with the town of Salamonia over a school renovation project has been settled.

JCDC board member Chuck Huffman said matters over a schoolhouse renovation went before a mediator last week and a resolution has been reached.

The biggest issue, said Ami Huffman, Jay County community developer, was that residents were unhappy with the construction of an access ramp in front of the school. She said during that during last week's mediation the project's architect agreed to absorb most of the costs associated with bringing the ramp up to code.

She said the ramp was too steep and did not include an adequate landing space.

"The ramp was the main issue," Ami Huffman said.

Ami Huffman also said problems exist with pre-existenting stains on the school's floor, but could be fixed with future appropriations from the county Economic Development Income Tax fund.

Residents of Salamonia and its local government approached commissioners during the summer to express concerns about the project, including adequacy of the front ramp.

"Honestly, it's a beautiful project," Ami Huffman said. "I hoping once these little things get worked out it will work well for them."[[In-content Ad]]