During the public‑comment period a resident raised strong objections to county plans for a new detention center and questioned the project’s scale and cost. The commenter said the project that was previously discussed at $260 million could in his view exceed $835 million and argued the county cannot afford the higher figure, urging a smaller facility and greater attention to homelessness services.
Quote from the public comment: “We cannot afford to ask of taxpayers to put the bill of something that was already approved for $260,000,000. ... This is gonna cost at least more than $835,000,000.” The speaker acknowledged the need for some jail capacity for serious offenders but said capacity should be reduced and the county should address poverty and homelessness with viable shelters and supports.
The remarks were delivered during the meeting’s public‑comment segment; commissioners did not take formal action in response during the session. The county has not provided a technical or financial response in the meeting transcript to the specific higher cost estimate alleged by the commenter.