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Board approves SB‑1022 jail expansion contract; project adds 20 mental‑health‑focused beds
Summary
Madera County awarded a $22.895 million contract to BMI Construction Group for the SB‑1022 on‑grade jail expansion and approved additional public‑protection impact fee pledges to balance the budget; the project includes 20 special‑use single‑occupancy beds and classroom/medical space and aims for completion in mid‑2027.
The Madera County Board of Supervisors approved a contract award and funding assurances on Oct. 7 for the SB‑1022 jail expansion project, accepting the lowest responsive bid from BMI Construction Group for $22,895,000 and recommending additional application of public protection impact fees to close a current budget shortfall.
County staff traced the project history back to an original 2013 application and subsequent revisions. To reduce costs staff pursued an on‑grade alternative that ultimately required a state scope‑change and additional approvals. Rising construction costs and project escalation have pushed today's construction estimate higher than earlier projections; using the low bidder and a reduced contingency the county still projects a budget gap that staff proposes covering with an additional $3.2 million pledge of public protection impact fees. Staff noted the current public protection impact fee balance is about $3.6 million and projected that revenue will replenish the fund over several years.
The expansion adds two mirror modules with 10 single‑occupancy cells each (20 special beds) together with renovated intake/booking areas, two safety cells, classroom and lab space (repurposed from a decommissioned kitchen), medical stations and staff support space. Captain Rodriguez of the Sheriff’s Office told the board the 20 beds are intended for people with acute mental‑health needs and will reduce the operational burden on staff and off‑site housing placements.
Staff described procurement and approval steps required by the state, including Department of Finance approval (anticipated Nov. 21) and a notice to proceed to the contractor (targeted Dec. 1), with construction estimated to take 17 months and occupancy about 90 days after completion (target occupancy mid‑2027). The board approved the contract award and funding assurance motions by roll call vote, 5–0.
County staff said the project may seek behavioral‑health partnerships for staffing reimbursements and will coordinate with behavioral health and State Hospitals where appropriate, but county officials noted not all operating costs are eligible for state capital or staffing reimbursements.
