The Barry County Board of Commissioners approved ballot language for the bond proposal that will appear alongside the November 3, 2020 general election ballot to fund construction, furnishing and equipping a new County Jail and Sheriff Offices.

 

The bond request will ask voters to approve up to $25-million in general obligation unlimited tax bonds for a maximum of 26 years, from 2021 through 2046.  It is estimated that the levy will be 0.1722 mill for the first year, and an average of 0.4501 mill for the following years until the bonds are retired.

 

If approved in the November election, a property located in Barry County with a taxable value of $50,000 will pay $8.61 the first year,  and $22.51 per year thereafter until the bonds are retired.

The Board of Commissioners determined that it is necessary to replace the existing facility and construct a new County Jail and Sheriff Offices 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 new facility on the existing site; (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 Department for offices and constructing a new Jail.  The final decision on which option to go with will be made after voters approve the funding for the project, not to exceed $25-million dollars.