Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Corrections topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission to consider jail feasibility study as commissioners request public debate on proposed DA funding pledge
Summary
The commission reviewed a proposal to hire CH Architects for a jail feasibility study and commissioners pressed to discuss publicly an alleged off-session commitment to give the district attorney $100,000 per year for three years; the chair said no final agreement had been made and agreed to put the item on the next meeting agenda.
Limestone County commissioners discussed next steps for correctional facilities and said they will move any financial commitments for the district attorney into a public forum.
The commission presented a proposal to contract with CH Architects to complete a jail feasibility study and heard staff describe parallel planning for a work-release building intended to expand programs and relieve pressure on the jail. Staff said rough sketches for a work-release option had been prepared and that more detailed proposals would be presented in the coming weeks.
Separately, a commissioner said they had been informed that a commitment had been made to provide the district attorney $100,000 per year for three years and asked that any such agreement be discussed and voted on publicly rather than negotiated informally. The chair replied, "there's no agreement been made anywhere yet so we can work on it and we can put it on the meeting," and agreed to place a proposal on the next meeting agenda for public consideration.
Next steps: if commissioners decide to move forward with a feasibility study, staff said they would return with scope, cost and timeline; the alleged DA funding commitment will be placed on a future agenda for public discussion and possible action.
