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Residents push for independent needs assessment as county advances public safety facility design
Summary
Public commenters told the Yates County Public Works Committee that a proposed public safety facility needs an independent needs assessment and more transparency about design bids before the county proceeds. Committee staff reported schematic design work is in progress and FOIL responses have been generated.
Committee Chair Sarah Purdy opened the July 6 meeting of the Yates County Public Works Committee, which included an update on the county's public safety facility ad hoc committee and a public comment period in which residents pressed for greater scrutiny of the project.
Resident Gene Mitchell said the public has not seen a 2023 jail facility report he described as estimating $10 million to $12 million and asked whether that report was provided to SMRT for their evaluation. "A schematic design bid was awarded to SMRT for $2.9 million and there was another bid for $1.4 million that was rejected," Mitchell said, adding that he is concerned the county may be spending design money without a decision to build.
Another resident, Jack Ossent, urged the county to obtain an "objective, independent needs assessment" that includes public input and is not driven by parties with a vested interest in building a larger facility. "Taxpayers deserve a truly objective, independent needs assessment before this jail project proceeds," he said.
On the project update, Public Safety Facility Project lead Doug Paddock told the committee the ad hoc group had selected an option and schematic design is in progress; FOIL responses have been generated and will be forwarded to the Legislature. Paddock said the sheriff may offer additional facility tours and the committee had productive meetings with Green County to learn from their operations.
The committee did not take a final vote on construction or siting at the meeting. Public commenters characterized the project as potentially premature without a needs assessment that includes Yates County residents and stakeholders.
