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Commissioners approve initial jail facility evaluation; consultant warns full project could take years and cost much more
Summary
After a presentation by consultant Rich Siddens of RS Security, commissioners voted to move ahead with a primary facility evaluation (initial assessment budget "just under $19,000") to document deficiencies, estimate capacity and support future planning for a new jail or major renovations.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted Aug. 6 to proceed with an initial facility evaluation of the county jail after a presentation by consultant Rich Siddens of RS Security. Siddens described a three‑phase approach: (1) a facility evaluation comparing the existing building to state and national standards and identifying code, liability and ADA deficiencies; (2) planning and programming that includes population projections and space requirements; and (3) master planning and site selection with cost estimates. "I'm Rich Siddens. I own RS Security," he said, outlining experience with similar projects and explaining that an initial assessment would produce an operational capacity and a prioritized list of deficiencies.
Siddens provided a rough order‑of‑magnitude planning note and estimated the initial assessment budget at "just under $19,000." He cautioned that a full replacement or large expansion could be years away: even if the county started immediately, he said program definition, design and construction could take seven to 10 years. Commissioners noted prior studies and a recent peer review but said up‑to‑date documentation is important for public outreach and any bond campaign. A motion to move forward with the facility evaluation was made and seconded; commissioners approved using available PILT funds to pay for the initial assessment and asked staff to provide the existing plans and prior reports to the consultant.
