Budget committee advances funding plan for 256‑bed Faulkner County jail expansion to full Quorum Court
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Summary
The Faulkner County Budget & Finance Committee voted to forward a package that would fund a new 256‑bed maximum-security addition (Unit 2 Max), with bids at about $19.05 million and a financing mix of ARPA funds, capital improvement funds and a potential five‑year loan up to $5 million.
The Faulkner County Budget & Finance Committee on Jan. 16 voted to forward a funding package for a new 256‑bed maximum‑security addition to the county detention campus, a project county officials say is designed to relieve chronic overcrowding and improve inmate classification flexibility.
County Administrator (presenting) said the county put the project out for bid and received post‑bid estimates of about $19.05 million, below the project's earlier $21 million target. "It is time for the money," the administrator said as he introduced the financing plan. He added the county expects a roughly 16‑month construction schedule and that the design supports manpower efficiency.
Why it matters: County officials described repeated operational constraints under the current Unit 1/Unit 2 configuration that regularly leave maximum‑security cells overfilled while minimum‑security space sits underused. Administrators said Unit 2 Max would allow better separation by classification and consolidate law‑enforcement and detention functions on a single campus to reduce inmate movement risks.
Financing and timeline: Administrators outlined a layered funding approach that prioritizes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and county capital reserves before borrowing. The plan presented to the committee included a capital improvement allocation of $7,577,000, ARPA replacement funds of about $5,659,000, and approximately $2,200,000 in ARPA‑related interest earnings. The county also requested authority to pursue a five‑year loan under local Amendment 78 for up to $5,000,000 if needed; officials said they would borrow only what is necessary.
Architect and project team: The county named Clennons Rutherford and Associates as the project architect (Will Rutherford) and Nabholz Construction (Conway) as construction manager, with Mike Armstrong listed as project executive and Mike Schuster as the on‑site foreman. County leads on the project include Tom Anderson and the county administrator; sheriff's office participants include Chief Deputy Chad Willey and Capt. Doug Hunter (jail administrator).
Local economic component: Officials said roughly 60% of subcontracted work is expected to come from Faulkner County firms to support the local economy during construction.
Committee action: After questions about whether the capital improvement totals included projected 2026 contributions and about when loan bids would be solicited, the committee voted by voice to forward proposed ordinance 26‑02 (the jail expansion funding ordinance) and proposed ordinance 26‑03 (authority for the judge's office to pursue up to $5 million in borrowing) to the full Quorum Court. The transcript records unanimous "aye" votes in the committee; individual roll‑call responses were not recorded in the audio.
What comes next: The Quorum Court will consider the ordinances at a subsequent meeting. County staff said they will proceed with contract negotiations and, if the court approves borrowing authority, solicit loan bids consistent with the county's plan to minimize debt.
