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Owens prioritizes jail infrastructure upgrades, cites asbestos and aging facilities
Summary
Sheriff Craig Owens said his top infrastructure priority is renovating detention facilities built or last remodeled decades ago; he credited the county commission for support and said rehabs can be cheaper than building a new jail.
Sheriff Craig Owens told the podcast that facility maintenance and renovation are a top priority for his term, and that rehabbing older buildings can save taxpayer money compared with building a new facility.
Owens said several buildings in county custody have not been remodeled since 1984 or 1997 and that routine investment can avoid the need for an expensive new jail. “By rehabbing, keep them, and getting them back into shape, it saves the taxpayers money in the long run,” he said. He credited the Board of Commissioners with providing support for renovation projects and noted asbestos remediation as an ongoing health concern.
Why it matters: Owens framed infrastructure work as a public‑safety and fiscal issue — failing locks or outdated conditions can create safety hazards for staff and detainees. He described the jail as “basically a small city under the roof” and argued that regular upkeep reduces the risk of more costly capital projects in the future.
Discussion vs. decision: The comments were explanatory and programmatic. Owens described priorities and praised intergovernmental support; no capital appropriation or vote was taken during the recording.
Ending: Owens said the county will continue to pursue repairs and renovations during his term to maintain safety and avoid larger replacement costs.
