After years of discussions and many months of studies and public forums the Barry County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to place a $25-million dollar Jail millage ballot proposal on the November 3, 2020 general election ballot.

 

The decision was made at the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, which was held via a Zoom video teleconference.

 

Through the County’s Facilities Master Plan, the County determined that it is necessary to replace the existing facility and construct a new County Jail and Sheriff Office facility to provide enhanced security and safety measures and systems; additional needed capacity; improved and updated HVAC and mechanical systems; improved space for inmate processing; accommodations for offices, and space for information technology systems.

 

The County is considering three alternative project options:   (1) the demolition of the existing facility and construction of the project on the existing county-owned real property upon which the existing jail located; (2) acquiring new property for the construction of the project; or (3) acquiring a site with an existing building and renovating it for use by the Sheriff for offices and constructing a new Jail. The pre-bid estimated cost for each of the project options is up to $25-million dollars.

 

The project is to be financed by the issuance of general obligation unlimited tax bonds, in an amount not to exceed $25-million, subject to the approval of the electors of the County at the November 3, 2020 election.

 

The actual language of the ballot proposal will not be considered and approved by the Board until the June 9, 2020 meeting.