Commissioners and public debate whether to sell county jail; public seeks release of analysis

The future of the Sussex County jail drew renewed attention at the Sept. 10 meeting as commissioners and public speakers disagreed about whether to market the facility and requested release of related reports.
Commissioner De Groot told colleagues he reviewed photographs from the county prosecutor’s office and an appraisal report that had been shared with commissioners. He said he had spoken with constituents and professionals and concluded he would vote against placing a for‑sale sign on the jail. “I will not vote to sell that building,” De Groot said.
Another commissioner said he believed the board had not completed due diligence in marketing the facility and urged caution; no formal sale action was taken at the Sept. 10 meeting. Separately, a public speaker said an accountability action report and an appendix titled “schedule A” — documents referenced in earlier resolutions — had not been released and asked how to obtain them. A county official told the speaker the documents are available via an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request.
There was no vote to sell the jail at the meeting. Commissioners and staff said appraisal materials and an appendix had been circulated among commissioners and that public requests for specific documents should be made through the county’s records process. Public commenters said they wanted a transparent accounting of losses and litigation related to prior county projects; the board did not adopt new disclosure steps during the session.