Several residents told Meigs County commissioners on the record that the county should not commit to a large new jail without independent financial analysis and clearer plans for funding.

Keith Planner, who identified himself as a taxpayer and host of the Diggs County podcast, said a new facility might cost $25 million to $30 million to build but "over the lifetime of the debt, staffing, health care, transportation, utilities, operations, maintenance, the real price exceeds $125,000,000." He urged the commission to "trust us, verify" the numbers and to reject any plan that would raise property taxes to cover the cost.

Kurt Deering, who described decades of property ownership in the county, said many rural residents receive few county services and would nonetheless bear the tax burden. He suggested redirecting $450,000 in courthouse loan savings toward repairs and argued phased repairs could be far less costly than new construction.

Other public speakers echoed those concerns. One resident cited National Institute of Corrections guidance recommending 48 to 60 beds and called a proposed 130-bed facility "totally unnecessary," warning that excess capacity could invite outside placements that would change local impacts and costs.

Martin Scott, a retired FBI employee who said he previously applied for jail grants, urged commissioners to form an exploratory committee to seek grant funding and phased improvements. In response, a county staff member said grants generally are not available for construction of jail facilities but may pay for incidentals or equipment; staff offered to investigate potential sources.

Following the public comment period and questions about financing and sheriff input, the commission decided to take no action on the distributed memorandum related to the jail project and asked staff to return with more information, including interest-rate estimates and the sheriff's input.

What happens next: Commissioners recorded no final vote on a new facility at the meeting; the matter remains under review pending additional data and staff follow-up.