Commission approves demolition contract for old jail after public pleas to delay for rehab study; vote 3-2

The Saline County Commission voted 3-2 on July 1 to award a demolition contract for the older portion of the county's former jail to Deal Enterprises for an amount not to exceed $400,000.

Deputy County Administrator Hannah Bet told commissioners a request for proposals for demolition had produced seven responses and that a staff-and-city review panel ranked Deal Enterprises highest on factors including experience, timeliness and references. Bet recommended awarding the contract to Deal Enterprises and said $1.2 million had been earmarked in the capital improvement fund for the demolition project with sufficient remaining funding for contingencies.

Several members of the public asked commissioners to postpone demolition to allow community groups time to pursue a refurbishment plan. Ashley Jarvis, a Saline County resident who led a recent tour of the facility, asked the board to delay the demolition for 90 days or "as much as you would give us" so a coalition could prepare a formal proposal to convert the structure into a transitional resource center that would provide structured reentry services, case planning and mentoring.

"All we ask is that you postpone the decision to demo so that we can get the people together to provide an actual proposal," Jarvis said during the citizens comment period. Amanda Jarvis, who spoke after Ashley, summarized consultant recommendations and argued for the county to consider a public request for proposals for alternative uses rather than proceeding directly to demolition.

Deal Enterprises' owner Dayton Deal addressed the board before the vote and asked commissioners to consider the staff recommendation and his company's local ties. "I'm a local contractor, and all these proceeds will stay in our community," Deal said.

Commission discussion touched on the protracted timeline: several commissioners said the county had explored alternatives over the past years and that previous tours and outreach had not produced a viable alternative. One commissioner proposed a 60-day delay to allow proponents to assemble financing and a plan; staff noted the RFP proposals must remain valid for 60 days from the June 9 due date, which limits how long the board could hold the decision without reissuing the procurement.

The motion to award the contract to Deal Enterprises carried 3-2. Commissioners did not direct staff to reopen an RFP or take other formal additional steps during the meeting.

Ending: The demolition award is final as of the July 1 vote; proponents of a transitional resource center said they would continue efforts to find an alternative site or further engage the county outside the procurement window.