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Residents urge council to reject jail expansion funding, call for housing and services
Summary
Multiple speakers during public comment urged council to vote no on a proposed $49 million jail expansion, arguing funds should instead support housing, mental‑health care, education and diversion programs and urging alternatives to incarceration.
A coalition of speakers and community organizations urged the Charlottesville City Council to oppose funding for a proposed jail expansion, saying the project diverts scarce dollars from housing, mental‑health services and public schools.
Speakers included members of the People's Coalition and several residents who told personal stories about incarceration and community needs. One commenter noted the sheriff and regional authorities are already pursuing alternatives, and asked council to consider redirecting roughly $49 million toward prevention and care rather than building more jail capacity. "Don't build another jail — invest in housing, mental health care, schools," a speaker said during the public‑comment segment.
Speakers cited figures and concerns about carrying costs and the project's long‑term debt service. Several urged council to delay or reduce the proposed expansion and to make tighter cost estimates public. Councilmembers listened and acknowledged the emotional testimony; no formal action on the jail funding occurred at this meeting. The council's budget discussions and a planned June decision were cited as the next steps for the issue.
Next procedural step: the issue will be addressed at upcoming budget meetings; citizens are expected to continue public engagement prior to the June 2 budget vote.
