Measure R committee tables recommendation to prioritize up to $3 million for jail rehabilitation

The Del Norte County Measure R Advisory Committee on an agenda item about capital funding for the county jail discussed recommending use of Measure R fund balance to help close a funding gap for a planned jail rehabilitation project, but ultimately tabled a motion after members asked for more detail.

Committee members and staff described the project as a comprehensive rehabilitation of older sections of the county jail — including medical and intake areas, several housing “pods,” and improvements to hallways and visibility — that officials say is required to meet safety and regulatory needs under title 15 and title 24. County staff told the committee the project has a preliminary estimated cost of about $10,000,000 and that current committed funding includes roughly $3,000,000 in federal awards, $1,500,000 in realignment funds and about $600,000 in PATH funding, leaving an estimated gap of about $5,000,000.

The committee debated multiple forms of a…