County weighs corrections takeover of jail and related housing, daycare needs

Daggett County commissioners discussed talks with the Department of Corrections about the state taking over the local jail and developing affordable workforce housing for personnel who would work at the facility.

A county official summarized conversations with the corrections agency and said housing could be part of the proposal if the state assumes operation of the jail. "In our discussions with the Department of, Corrections, they're trying to develop affordable workforce housing in the event that corrections would take over the jail," one commissioner said.

Commissioners estimated the housing need at roughly 30 homes in the area and said staff levels for a correctional facility could be about 20 to 25 employees. Several commissioners flagged daycare as a potential barrier to staffing. "Day care could certainly be an issue," one commissioner said, noting uncertainty about local capacity. Staff reported the school-run child care was serving teachers only and that county conversations in October found the school did not have capacity to accept many more children.

One commissioner suggested county communications could encourage local entrepreneurs to consider opening day-care services, including a newsletter note to highlight demand. Commissioners also discussed potential staff recruitment effects if the state assumes operations and offers a different wage scale. "Because of their wage scale, if the houses weren't affordable... that wage at the prison is the draw," a county speaker said, describing part of the state's rationale for offering housing assistance.

No formal decision was made at the meeting; commissioners said they will continue discussions as the potential corrections proposal develops.