Millions in spending approved for new Delaware County jail

Although the proposed jail has been the subject of criticism for months, no critics attended Monday's meeting or, if they did, didn't speak on the topic. 

After the meeting, commissioner James King told The Star Press all that remained was for Delaware County Council to fund the commissioners' economic development income tax (EDIT) spending plan. Then, King said, the commissioners would continue to negotiate with BW Development, the Indianapolis company hired to oversee the plan for the $45-million, 500-inmate-bed jail in the former ASONS/Wilson Middle School building.

But just how to address the jail problem has been a point of contention. Some wanted an annex built downtown. Others wanted a jail built in a southwestside shell building. All agreed more programs for drug rehabilitation were needed. Many criticized the idea of taking jail and all court-related offices, with hundreds of jobs, out of downtown.