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Commissioners discuss parameters for second phase of jail study; staff to return with options in March
Summary
The board reviewed jail-capacity comparisons, funding and timing considerations and asked staff and consultants to return with parameters and estimated costs. No final decision was made; staff expects to return with more detailed options and cost estimates in the coming months.
Union County commissioners spent substantial time Feb. 18 discussing the next phase of a jail study, including projected population comparisons, possible bed counts and the question of designing an expandable facility to meet future needs.
County Manager Brian Matthews and consultant Christopher Boyd provided comparative data and population projections used to estimate average daily inmate populations in future years. Staff referenced two population-projection sources — regional MPO (CARPO) figures used in the county’s comprehensive plan and the state demographer’s projections — and urged commissioners to pick planning parameters so consultants can finish the second-phase analysis.
Why it matters: the county needs an agreed size range to produce meaningful cost, staffing and operating estimates. Commissioners discussed a range of designs the consultant previously presented — including options described to the board as cores of roughly 400, 600 and larger capacities — and debated whether a facility should be built large enough to meet a 20- to 25-year projection or built smaller with explicit expansion capability.
Key details: staff told the board the county’s current average daily incarceration is under 300 and that comparable counties vary widely in bed counts; earlier consultant work the board received included example options such as a 400-core/600-bed configuration (the consultant’s prior materials were referenced but not read word-for-word in the meeting). Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that any new facility should be designed for expansion if the board does not want to commit to the largest capacity immediately. Several commissioners stated a preference not to overburden taxpayers while keeping an eye on long-term needs.
Next steps: county staff said they will place the item on a March meeting agenda to collect board direction on size parameters, then instruct the consultant to produce revised cost and staffing estimates for the selected size(s). Staff estimated it would take roughly 60+ days after that direction to assemble the detailed financial, staffing and construction estimates commissioners requested.
No board vote was taken on construction or financing; commissioners and staff agreed to return with additional information and to include a consultant briefing on options for reusing or repurposing the existing jail facility as part of the expanded study scope.
