County pulls out of jail project

After a comprehensive review of the changes in the fiscal situation since the inception of the project, and meeting with all elected Elmore County officials, the Board of Commissioners has voted to pull out of the joint jail/law enforcement center project.

The consensus of the elected officials that they could not support the project was based on the state of the economy, the scope of the project and the decrease in investment income over the past year.

In a prepared statement, the county commissioners said they wish to express their commitment to addressing the jail issue and pledge to continue moving toward a solution.

"The board simply believes that with the current economic situation, a conservative approach to a solution is warranted at this time."

Commissioner Craig McCurry explained the issue of needs for the county and the city vary greatly. For the county, the main issue has always been about the jail, he said. At this point, this proposal does not seem to be the best solution. The request for proposal came in nearly $2 million higher than the figures submitted before the county secured judicial confirmation for certificates of participation.

When the original petition was denied by the court, the county amended its plan, downsizing the scope of the project from a 144-bed project to 98 beds, and setting aside funds that could be used as a down payment to reduce the overall financing costs.

The plan had called for not only a jail to house prisoners, but also office space for both the city and county law-enforcement groups.

The county had hoped the changes would greatly reduce the bottom line on the project. Instead, the request for proposal was increased significantly.

Only the Durrant Group responded to the request for proposal. The county had asked if modifications could be made to the plan to meet the needs for a joint law enforcement center and jail and yet stay within the financial constraints imposed by judicial confirmation.

Company officials felt that while they could keep the lease payments below the judicial ruling, it would be impossible to reduce the overall project by $440,000.

Potential sources of revenues could not be guaranteed, but income could be anticipated from renting bed space to state and federal agencies, and by contracting to provide food and laundry services.

The county was reluctant to rely on anticipated income to bring the project within its fiscal means.

Pulling out of the current project, the county will now investigate other means to find a solution for the jail issue.

"We're completely committed to the jail project," said Commissioner McCurry, "but our issues are different than the city's issues. For us, it's just the jail," he said, noting the county could wind up pursuing a jail-only project.