County takes hard look at jail project (10/16/07)

Commissioners are taking a long, hard look at renovating the Jay County Jail - and at the related costs.

After a presentation on Monday about a potential jail enhancement from DLZ, an Indianapolis-based architecture and engineering firm, commissioners said they liked what they saw. Except for the price tag attached to the final product. Estimated "hard costs" associated with construction and renovation are $6.4 to $7.5 million, according to a feasibility study published by DLZ. That total does not include money for things like environmental cleanup, attorney fees, investigative work, building permits and other fees and services.

"I enjoyed the info... I was a little flabbergasted as to how high it (the projected cost) was," Commissioner Gary Theurer said.

Commissioner Milo Miller Jr. said he has been in contact with employees of the Jay County Sheriff's Department and jail who have voiced favor for updating the facility. But, he added, he wants to ensure taxpayers are not saddled with too large of a financial burden.

Commissioners have not approved a renovation outside of paying for research by DLZ. They said they would examine multiple financing avenues, including grants and most likely - if the project moves forward - selling bonds.

"We knew there was grant money available for the community corrections side of it," Miller said. "We weren't sure about the rest of it."

No matter the outcome from commissioners, Miller said, don't expect an answer before January.

"We'll probably be dragging our feet (for a decision) until the first of the year," he said.

Cost estimates are based on material and other factors at projected prices for summer 2008. Miller reminded fellow commissioners if action is not taken the price will likely increase because construction is getting more expensive.

Schematics from DLZ call for an addition of 27,500-square feet that lies north of the current jail on a county-owned lot at the corner of Ship and West Main streets in Portland. The current facility is 13,165-square feet.

The proposed plan would move all non-work release prisoners into the new facility, and renovate the existing portion of the jail to include an area to house work release offenders, along with additional administrative and conference space and office space for Jay County Emergency Management, which is currently housed in the Jay County Courthouse.

The proposed facility renovations also contain increased security features, DLZ representatives said. In addition to other things, the design of new holding areas keeps inmates more segregated, and a video conferencing room minimizes movement from offenders.

Jay County Sheriff Ray Newton said he looks at a jail renovation as an investment capable of generating revenue. Under the feasibility study, the number of beds in the jail would increase from 50 to 128, with 32 designated for work release inmates.

The Indiana Department of Correction pays $35 a day per person for counties to house state inmates, Newton said. Similar incentives exist for out-of-county inmates.

Jay County was paid more than $91,000 housing DOC inmates in 2006, which Newton said was a slow year. So far in 2007 the county has been paid more than $64,000. Funds also are available for work release inmates, he added.

"There's a lot of potential to make money off of this," Newton said.[[In-content Ad]]The Jay County Retirement Center is going smoke-free inside, but not out.

Jay County Commissioners gave consent to prohibit smoking inside buildings on facility property, located at 1194 East 200 North, Portland. Rob Smith, director of the retirement center, requested approval of a total ban, citing safety reasons.

"A couple of them (residents) have smoked in their rooms and that's not allowed," Smith said, adding that five of 22 people living at the center smoke.

There also have been courtesy issues among smokers and non-smokers, Smith said. Ashes, cigarette butts, fires and burn holes left in property are all concerns.

Commissioners said a compromise might be more effective than a complete smoking ban. They agreed to designate an outside porch on the east side of the retirement center as a smoking area, bringing tobacco use regulations more in line with other county buildings.

"It's a county-owned building. I think we should set the example," Commissioner Gary Theurer said before granting his approval.

Conversation about prohibiting smoking at the retirement center mirrored discussions currently taking place about a countywide public ban. Commissioners said they tried to find a middle ground between public safety and individual liberty in rendering their decision.

A vote on the countywide ban is expected in December. That's when the health department will deliver its complete suggestions on public smoking prohibition.

Commissioner Milo Miller Jr. said he was split on the issue at the retirement center. He added that a ban could be a "favor" for residents' health, but admitted he did not want to deny a "privilege" to lifelong taxpayers.

"To me, you might as well pull the plug on them. What else do they have to look forward to?" Miller said, adding that smokers spend time using cigarettes for recreation.

Smith told commissioners he would approach them with additional concerns about smoking if any problems arise.