Carroll County Commissioners and County Council members met in a joint session to discuss funding for the Commissioners-proposed new jail.
Council President Josh Plue provided a financial recap of the proposed jail project as provided by Baker Tilly Financial Advisors. He said information from the consultants indicates the total cumulative cost, including the interest accrued for bonding and approximately $218,000 for additional staff, $43,000 for benefits for the staff, $28,500 for food, $11,250 for cooks, $15,000 for utilities and another $7,000 for supplies for the new facility, is projected to be $20,597,500.
Plue said he calculated it will add an additional $500,000 to the county budget every year for the next 20 years to pay that amount of money. He reminded his fellow council members, Paul Rider, Tracy Martin, Ethan Brown, Lawrence “Doc” Stauffer and Tim Radcliff they are expected to approve a resolution at their next meeting (Dec. 17) stating they will provide funding for the project, as it has been presented. Council member Scott Ayres was not present at the meeting.
Plue explained the general fund must carry an operating balance throughout each year to pay bills between times revenue is re- ceived. He said, currently the general fund balance is roughly $5.3 million. Plue explained, given the current numbers, the county’s general fund would go to zero in five to 10 years and at that point, the county “would no longer be solvent.”
“The numbers are concerning to me,” Plue said. “I can’t see any feasible way this jail can be funded.”
Commissioner Brown tried to correct Plue’s logic by saying property assessments will continue to rise and there will be more property tax revenue throughout the years. Plue explained to Brown there will be no additional property tax revenue because of the property tax levy freeze. He said the tax rate cannot increase and the only increase in revenue that can be expected is from income tax.
Brown accused the Council of initiating the expensive jail project. He said the county has spent a significant amount of money already on architects and other things.
Auditor Myers clarified there has been approximately $442,000 spent from the jail capital project fund this year.
A comparison of jail projects throughout the state presented by Plue indicates Carroll County would pay $136,000 per bed for a 108-bed facility, while a new jail in Hendrix County costs $101,000 per bed, a new jail in Fulton County is costing $105,000 per bed and a new facility completed in Decatur County cost only $85,000 per bed.
Council member Martin reminded the Commissioners the Council stated on several occasions the county could not afford the current cost of the planned facility. She said it was expected there would be a reduction in costs and the result was only four less beds. Commissioner Brown advised the cost reduction was actually $3 to $4 million. Martin clarified by asking Brown if the current project had reached a $24 million cost at one point to which Brown provided no answer.
Martin said the county cannot afford a $19 million facility. Brown said he agreed and asked why the Council did not tell the Commissioners how much could be paid for a new jail.
“We did tell you,” Plue responded. “$14.5 million was stated.”
He also stated the Commissioners would have to “come up with a better way to get a cost they can afford.”
Council member Paul Rider said the county should develop a work release program, which he said would be self-sustaining. Rider said he has spoken with both county judges who have indicated they are in favor of the program. He said the building could be built with $600,000.
“That’s what I think our solution is,” Rider said.
“I like it,” Commissioner Brown, who has been very vocal in the past about his opposition to a county work release program, said.
Brown suggested the county develop a work release program and not build a jail at this time.
Council member Ethan Brown agreed. Sheriff Tobe Leazenby agreed a work release program would be good for additional income. But he also said the county cannot “keep putting band aids” on the current facility.
Martin asked why the county would not build a larger jail facility with more beds, given that more beds seems to reduce the overall cost of a facility. She suggested a work release program be added to the facility.
“We need to get the best value for our buck,” she said.
Plue said it would not be advisable to draw the conclusion that more beds equals less expense.
“Different construction managers can have different outcomes,” he said.
Rider said it would be more cost effective to build a stand-alone work release program.
Rider asked his fellow council members who would be willing to support funding the current project. No Council members present made a motion to financially support the current project.
Commissioner Brown asked Plue if Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds could help support the jail. Plue said he believes TIF money cannot make annual payments for anything except for their own bonds. Brown said an additional $2 million would “make a lot of difference.” Plue said that statement “is not so true.”
There was no suggestion about what the next step for the county would be. The next County Council meeting will be Dec. 17 at 9 a.m. in the ground floor meeting area.
The next Commissioner’s meeting will be Dec. 21 at 9 a.m. in the ground floor meeting area. *The recorded video of this meeting can be found on YouTube on the “Debbie Lowe” channel.