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Commissioners press county staff on jail capacity, staffing and costs as detention center plan evolves
Summary
During budget deliberations commissioners spent substantial time questioning capacity, staffing costs and plans for a possible new detention center; staff said a smaller $65 million option is under consideration and the budget sets aside $1.6 million contingency to anticipate debt service.
Commissioners raised detailed questions about jail capacity, staffing and long-term costs during and after the county's FY2026 budget presentation on Monday, May 12.
Board members pushed county staff on how often the jail has exceeded capacity, current inmate counts and whether the county tracks immigration status in its jail rolls. County staff said they could compile numbers from jail logs but do not routinely classify detainees by immigration status. One commissioner said the absence of timely checks on new detainees is a perennial concern for officer safety.
On the detention center project, staff said the jail committee is examining a smaller option with an estimated cost of about $65 million, down from a previously discussed $95 million figure. Smith (the budget presenter) said the $1.6 million contingency in the draft FY2026 budget is intended to cover debt-service rollover if the board proceeds with borrowing for the detention center so the budget would not need a midcourse correction.
Commissioners and staff discussed the ongoing operating cost risk for a larger facility. One commissioner estimated an additional $8–10 million per year to staff and operate a substantially larger jail. Staff cautioned that operating costs and staffing needs are a major ongoing cost and would require separate planning.
Other points raised in the discussion: - County staff reported that the jail has been over capacity multiple times in the past year and that morning counts on the day of the meeting were high (specific daily counts were offered as available upon request). - A recent state inspection was mentioned; staff said the county continues to manage court-related fluctuations (multiple superior court sessions, continuances and trial holds) that affect daily population and staffing needs. - Commissioners noted past logistical problems with siting and building a facility (a previously proposed site and agreement stalled when federal-level actions affected occupancy plans), and several said those legal and logistical setbacks contributed to cost escalation.
No final decision on building a new detention center was taken at the meeting. Smith said the jail committee will continue to review alternatives and present options to the full board, and that the contingency dollars in the draft budget are intended to preserve flexibility if the board chooses to borrow for a facility later.
The transcript includes commissioner concerns about inmate processing and officer safety; staff said fuller data (detailed jail logs and counts by classification) are available but would require follow-up to produce. Several commissioners urged additional detail for a future committee meeting.
