Clark County highlights public-safety funding, plans to add deputies and study $470 million jail remodel

Council Chair Sue Marshall told listeners that law and justice services remain the county’s largest general fund expense and that the council has approved new funding options to bolster public safety.

Marshall said the legislature approved two mechanisms to support law and justice during the 2025 session: a state law enforcement grant program and a local option one‑tenth of a percent sales and use tax. “In August of last year, the council approved implementing the tenth of a percent sales and use tax for a range of public safety purposes,” she said.

Last month the council approved adding full‑time law and justice positions funded through the criminal justice sales tax. Marshall said the decision will add 22 deputy positions and several support staff, and that Sheriff Horsch indicated hiring will begin this summer.

Marshall said council staff were also authorized in March to submit an application for the state law enforcement grant; if the grant is approved, it would help the sheriff’s office move more promptly to hire the new deputies.

On the county’s jail facilities, Marshall said the main jail and the jail work center on Lower River Road are being reviewed by staff and outside architects. The county is adding a "J Pod" at the work center that will contain 64 medium‑security beds and has reopened HPOD in the main jail with 28 minimum‑security beds. She said the council directed staff and finance to present funding options for a main jail remodel and expansion, which she called "estimated to cost $470,000,000." Marshall emphasized that operational costs, staffing and maintenance must be included in any funding considerations.

No specific vote counts, mover/second details or grant-award decisions were provided in the address; Marshall said staff will bring back options for the council and the public will be updated.