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Lincoln County approves initial jail facility evaluation; consultant estimates under $19,000
Summary
The board voted to authorize a facility evaluation for the county jail after a presentation by consultant Rich Siddens (RS Security), who recommended a three‑phase process (evaluation, programming/population projections, master planning) and warned full replacement could take seven to ten years and cost far more than early estimates.
Rich Siddens of RS Security presented a proposed three‑phase approach for addressing Lincoln County’s outdated jail: an initial facility evaluation, programing and population projections, and master planning/site selection. He said the evaluation — which compares the existing building to Montana and national standards, calculates operational capacity, and identifies life‑safety and ADA deficiencies — would run about 100 consultant hours and is estimated at just under $19,000.
Siddens advised the board that design and construction to build a new facility may take seven to ten years and that costs have risen sharply in recent county examples; he recommended delaying any bond measure until the county has firmer cost estimates derived from programming and master‑planning work. He also recommended population projections, phased construction as an option, and using consistent public messaging should the county pursue a bond.
After discussion of timing, funding, and the need for public documentation, a commissioner moved and a second supported proceeding with the facility evaluation, with funding identified from PILT (payments in lieu of taxes). The board approved the evaluation; commissioners emphasized that the study would produce the documentation needed for future decisions and for any voter outreach on financing.
The motion authorizes the county to engage the consultant to complete the facility evaluation and report back with findings that will inform the next phases (programming and site selection). The county did not set a guaranteed construction timeline or commit to a bond at this meeting.
