Walsh County commissioners review scaled-down jail plan and set special meeting

A scaled-down plan to build a 46-bed jail and related courthouse HVAC upgrades drew lengthy discussion at the Walsh County Commission meeting on July 1, and commissioners scheduled a special meeting to deliberate next steps.

The county’s jail project consultant, Sid Williams (project presenter), told the commission the updated design preserves the 46 beds in a smaller footprint — roughly 16,500 square feet versus the original 37,000 — by removing the sheriff’s office from the new complex and shrinking ancillary spaces such as the sally port and kitchen. Williams said available local funding sources include an existing $5,000,000 courthouse allotment for HVAC work, about $8,450,000 in partnership capital-levy funds and roughly $13,200,000 expected from sales tax bonds, producing an approximate funding pool of $26,000,000; the revised design has an estimated cost of about $23,600,000.

Why it matters: Commissioners and county staff framed the question as one of public safety, recurring operating costs, and fiscal risk. Proponents argued building the jail will cut long-term inmate transport costs and improve safety; opponents and cautious members raised concerns about using a long-term sales tax and whether to prioritize repairs to the existing sheriff’s office and other county buildings.

Details of the revised plan and debate

Williams said the revised plan flips the jail layout relative to earlier designs, retaining the same pod-style housing and booking functions but in a smaller footprint. “We made this as small as possible,” Williams said of the updated layout while noting trade-offs: “we dropped the sheriff’s office, we dropped the secure courthouse entrance and we reduced the sally port and kitchen.” He said the team kept booking, intake, medical and a work-release area and that the HVAC approach remains to replace aging equipment and, if feasible, serve multiple campus buildings.

Commissioner Paul Jensen (county commissioner) said he favored pursuing a larger facility that would support growth and avoid repeated future votes. “I choose to take the view… build something that will support growth,” Jensen said. Commissioner Amy McDowell (county commissioner) and others pressed for more detail on financing, the practical operating savings from avoided inmate transports, and possible impacts to other capital needs. Some commissioners argued for a smaller initial jail (for example, 25 beds) but were warned that facilities under a certain size would not eliminate transportation costs.

Timeline, procurement and next steps

Architects estimated 6–7 months of design work before a bidder-friendly early-year construction bid window. Williams warned that delaying design and procurement could push bid dates into summer months, when market pricing and contractor availability are less favorable. Commissioners asked for more time to review materials and public feedback; the group agreed to hold a special meeting at 12:30 p.m. on July 8 to continue the jail discussion and to schedule fuller consideration at the July 22 commission meeting.

Quotes

“We’ve had a lot of concessions to get here. If our priority is to have a jail, this accomplishes that,” Williams said. “You still have to build booking, the sally port and the infrastructure — we can’t have everything.”

Ending

Commissioners directed the project team to return with more detailed cost breakdowns, procurement timing and options for phased work. They set the July 8 special meeting at 12:30 p.m. to allow a shorter review period and more public feedback before a larger July 22 discussion.