Board approves SB 1022 jail expansion contract and pledges additional public protection impact fees

The Madera County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 Tuesday to award a construction contract to BMI Construction Group Inc. for $22,895,000 for the county's SB 1022 jail expansion project and to adopt a resolution assuring funding sources for the project.

County administrative staff and project manager Ricky Arredondo of Kitchell reviewed the project's long history: the county applied for SB 1022 funding in 2013, received a conditional award, and later pursued a scope change from an above-grade expansion to an on-grade, value-engineered facility to reduce costs. The original estimates were substantially affected by inflation and supply-chain issues; the most recent bids produced a low responsive bid of $22,895,000. With contingencies and scope changes staff said the estimated construction total is roughly $24,039,008.75, leaving a funding shortfall compared with earlier budgets.

To balance the budget staff recommended pledging an additional $3,200,000.06 in public protection impact fees, on top of the prior commitments, to cover the increased construction costs; the board also reaffirmed an earlier $1,300,000 CCP (community corrections partnership) match already spent on design. Staff reported the public protection impact fee fund currently has a $3.6 million balance and projected conservative revenue that should replenish pledged amounts within several years.

Project scope: the approved on-grade expansion will add two mirrored modules with 10 single-occupancy cells each (20 single cells total), an indoor classroom/lab area converted from a decommissioned kitchen, two safety cells in booking, a renovated booking area and Sally port, medical exam facilities and outdoor recreation yards. County and sheriff's staff said the 20 special-use single-occupancy beds are intended for inmates with acute mental-health needs; the sheriff's office and captain said the beds would separate those inmates from the general population and allow better care and management.

Board members emphasized the need to move forward because continued delay risks further cost escalation. Staff said final approval from the Department of Finance to award the contract was expected in November, with a notice to proceed in December and construction completion estimated in 17 months with occupancy 90 days thereafter. The motion to approve both the resolution assuring funding and the contract award passed on a 5-0 roll-call vote.