Howard County looks at new jail

Howard County - Does Howard County need a new jail? Should it be closed and transfer inmates to another facility? Should the county just have cells? If a new jail is built, where should it be located?

These are all questions task force members looked at when coming up with a plan to present to the Board of Supervisors.

Sheriff Mike Miner chose task force members from all walks of life and communities. They include Barb Robinson, Brent Bronner, Darrell Knecht, David Brenno, Dean Schwade, Marcie Klomp, Mark Bohle, Mark Meirick, Mark Murphy, Neil Shaffer, Ray Lukes and Tim Beckman.

One of the first assignments was to look at the current jail, E-99/dispatch center and Sheriff’s Department offices.

Members saw the numerous deficiencies brought up by the state jail inspector and staff. Many of these issues were mentioned in Part 1, published Feb. 22 in the Times Plain Dealer. It was the general consensus of the group to continue researching the pros and cons of building a new jail facility.

With the aid of John Hansen of Midwest Construction Consultants, numbers started to come to light on the costs of four different scenarios.

 

Option 1

The first possibility looked at closing down the jail and holding cells, but building a new building for administration and E-911/Dispatch Center.

Estimated annual cost

Jailer/Transport Salaries & Benefits $113,476

Additional Full Time Jailer/ Transport & Benefits $62,464

Utilities (7,954 SF X 2.08) $16,544

Maintenance $15,900

Vehicle Expense Increase (three vehicles total) $28,800

Subtotal Expenses $237,184

Out of County Housing Projection $187,012

Total Annual Costs $361,732

Taxpayer cost over 20 years

Expenses $4,743,680

Out of County Housing Projection $7,628,981

Building Cost $2,295,692

Total Taxpayer Impact $14,668,353

Not included is interest to be added to total

 

Option 2

The task force examined a new public safety center with a holding cell only - no jail included.

Estimated annual cost

Jailer/Transport Salaries & Benefits $113,476

Additional Full Time Jailer/ Transport & Benefits $62,464

Utilities (13,641 SF X 2.08) $34,613

Maintenance $15,900

Vehicle Expense Increase (2 vehicles total) $19,200

Subtotal Expenses $245,653

Out of County Housing $109,986

(Note: Assumes inmates that are able to bond out and two trips for sentenced inmates)

Total Annual Costs $355,639

Taxpayer cost over 20 years

Expenses $4,913,060

Out of County Housing Projection $4,501,465

Estimated Building Cost $3,780,471

Total Taxpayer Impact $13,194,996

Not included is interest to be added to total

 

Option 3

The final option shows the estimated operating costs of a new public safety center with jail over the next 20 years.

Estimated annual cost

Jailer/Transport Salaries & Benefits $113,476

Food/Expenses $45,170

Utilities (17,240 SF X 2.08) $35,859

Maintenance $22,800

Subtotal Expenses $217,305

Out of County Housing $0.00

Total Annual Costs $217,305

Taxpayer cost over 20 years

Expenses $4,346,100

Out of County Housing Projection $0.00

Estimated Building Cost $4,983,386

Interest for 20 years if $5 million is borrowed at 2.87 percent $1,582,233

Total Taxpayer Impact $10,911,719

 

Option 4

Miner asked for figures on a fourth option - tearing down the old residence and jail and adding some office space, holding cells and sally port. Only the newest part of the current facility, the Dispatch Center built in 1982. The costs for that option are the same as Option 2 with a building expense of approximately $1.5 million rather than $3.78 million.

 

All of the above options assume:

• No increase in fuel or vehicle costs

• No increase in utility costs

• No increase in salary

• No increases in housing costs

• E911/Dispatch salaries will remain the same in all scenarios

• Sheriff, deputies and administrative salaries will remain the same in all scenarios

• Rural service costs will remain the same in all scenarios

• Assumes projections in increased inmate population with two trips. Average daily counts of inmates since 2008 has seen its ups and downs, but it still shows a steady upswing in the average population.

2008 - 3.5

2009 - 3.8

2010 - 4.2

2011 - 4.9

2012 - 3.7

2013 - 3.5

2014 - 5.4

2015 - 7.2

2016 - 5.4

This increase in jail population is due in part to more drug investigations and a more aggressive county attorney in Kevin Schoeberl.

In addition jail populations are growing because more parole violators and mentally ill individuals are being locked up.

Miner looked at projections around the state and determined the average inmate population could gradually grow to 23.85 in 20 years. 

For most individuals, numbers speak volumes. 

As the estimated costs over the next 20 years show, for Option 1, if inmates are transported and housed at another jail, the cost would be $7,628,981. That cost lowers to $4,501,465 in Option 2, only having holding cells. All that money will be given to a neighboring county to build its infrastructure. 

There is no cost in Option 3, a new jail facility for Howard County and the housing expenses will go toward our own infrastructure.

The total cost over the next 20 years would be $14,668,353 for Option 1, $13,194,996 for Option 2 and $9,329,486 for Option 3.

All of these options obviously come with a price tag. The task force analyzed the findings and recommended the Board of Supervisors have a bond referendum vote for Option 3, building a new jail, E-911/Dispatch Center and administrative offices. To those members, Option 3 seemed to be the best use of the taxpayers’ money over the next 20 years.

The supervisors decided to let the issue go before the voters, which will take place on May 2, 2017. It calls for a bond referendum not to exceed $5 million.

The cost to property owners is approximately $37.01 per year for a $125,000 home; $45.90 for a $100,000 multi-residential property; $47.90 for a $100,000 commercial/industrial property; and $14.37 for 40 agricultural acres.

Anyone wishing to learn more about the proposed new jail facility can contact a task force member or Sheriff Mike Miner. 

Or a person can attend a local town hall meeting and/or attend a jail open house.

Jail Open House

March 18: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

April 22: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Town Meeting

March 23: Lime Springs City Hall, 7 p.m.

March 30: Featherlite Center, Cresco, 7 p.m. 

April 4: Protivin City Hall, 7 p.m.

April 6: Elma City Hall, 7 p.m.

April 18: Chester City Hall, 7 p.m.

April 20: Featherlite Center, Cresco, 7 p.m. 

April 25: Riceville City Hall, 7 p.m.

Look for Part 4 in next week’s Times Plain Dealer. The architect’s floor plan will be explored.