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Council approves sheriff appropriations; sheriff says jail foundation due soon and 30–40 staff will be required
Summary
The county council approved an appropriation for sheriff payroll-related items and received an update on the new jail: foundation expected soon, completion targeted in 2026, and staffing plans call for roughly 30–40 positions for the new facility.
The Vanderburgh County Council approved an appropriation request that included $3,060 for FICA and $40,000 for accrued payments for the sheriff's office, for a total of $43,060.
During the appropriation discussion the sheriff provided an update on the county jail construction project, saying the work is in a pre-building phase and that a foundation was expected to be poured soon. The sheriff said completion remains on track for 2026 but summarized visible progress as limited to site preparation and that members should expect more visible construction activity in the weeks ahead. He described the current staffing estimate for the new facility as “on the order of 30 to 40 staff members.”
Council members and the sheriff also discussed debt-service timing. A council member reminded colleagues that the county has not yet begun drawing on some construction loan accounts and that, as funds are drawn, debt-service payments will begin. The sheriff said the county currently earns interest on borrowed funds while they remain on deposit, and council members noted debt-service will become a new cash requirement once draws commence.
The council approved the appropriation by voice vote.
