Dooly County moves from regional talks to design and financing for new jail after referendum

Dooly County commissioners voted in 1997 to pursue construction of a new county jail after federal officials and local leaders concluded the existing facility could no longer be used as a long-term housing option.

The board first confronted the issue when Sheriff Van Peavy told commissioners the department was reviewing options including building a new jail, joining a regional facility or contracting with neighboring counties to house inmates (the board discussed those options at length in January). In July the board signed a Consent Decree and Side Letter with the U.S. Justice Department governing operations at the county jail.

The county placed a $5.75 million general‑obligation bond question on the September 16 special election ballot; voters approved the measure and on Sept. 18 the board certified the results (976 yes; 509 no). In the months that followed the board moved to design and finance the project rather than continue exclusively with regional authorities. On Oct. 1 commissioners voted to proceed with plans for a county jail; the motion carried 4–1.

In November and December the board advanced procurement: it evaluated proposals from financial firms and underwriters, then accepted Citizens Bank of Vienna’s loan proposal subject to negotiated terms. Under that proposal the county may borrow up to $5.75 million with an initial fixed five‑year rate (quoted at 5.3%) and a 25‑year maximum term; Citizens Bank’s proposal included a $27,000 commitment fee and the county’s agreement to pay legal costs associated with the loan. Commissioners also selected Clemons, Rutherford & Associates (Tallahassee, Fla.) as the architect after negotiating a fee arrangement (CRA agreed to an architect fee of roughly 7% of construction cost).

County Attorney John Davis said the bank’s final financing terms included an initial five‑year locked rate and a formula thereafter tied to a percent of the published prime rate, capped and floored at contract limits. Chairman Wayne J. West and other commissioners said the board’s priority was a finance package that protected the county’s long‑term fiscal position while moving the project forward.

Next steps set by the board included site selection (a site committee of two commissioners and the sheriff was appointed), execution of financing documents and final contract negotiations with the architect. The board also voted to withdraw from the Central Georgia Regional Jail Authority and proceed on a county‑led plan consistent with the bond question voters approved.

The board has not publicly finalized a construction timetable or contract award as of the December meetings; officials said the county will proceed with required land, design and permitting steps next.