JAIL COMMITTEE LAYS OUT PLANS TO PUBLIC

(CAMERON)  Around 40 people attended a public meeting Thursday night at Bea’s Kitchen to hear the latest on the plans to construct a new $6.4 million county jail.  Committee Chairman Bill McCutchin told the group that when the committee first started the study, a new jail was not favored, but after hiring consultants and studying the future needs of the county for more than a year, economics dictated that a new jail was necessary. 

Prior to 1999 the county had spent no money housing out prisoners.  In 99 the county spent

 $2500.  In 2000 that amount jumped to $79,000.  The county spent $50,000 in 2001, $116,400 in 2002, $232,000 in 2003, and projected costs this year are around $300,000.  The finance committee chaired by Bill Meachum recommends that the county sell certificates of obligation over bonds to finance the project.  The county’s financial advisor recommended certificates of obligation because he said no county in the state has passed a bond issue to build a jail.

McCutchin, who also chaired the facility committee, said the design is such that the proposed 107-bed facility will be expandable to nearly 300 beds by adding 48-bed wings in the future. 

Ernest Taylor Sr. of Cameron presented a list of questions from residents in the neighborhood of the former hospital site.   A prepared statement representing the neighborhood stated that “We don’t need a jail, with its bars and fences, to make people feel safe.  What the neighborhood really needs is a Community policing program where the law enforcement community of the city and county interact with the citizens through conversation and patrol areas to make their presence known.”    One resident expressed her dislike of the county building a jail in a residential area and just blocks away from where she attends church.

McCutchin said the site committee carefully researched several potential sites and the reasoning behind their recommendation of the old Newton Hospital location was strictly economics.  The county could have used part of the 40-acre Poor Farm already owned by the county; however bringing utilities to the property would have been a major expense.  And plans are to utilize the hospital building for jail office space, saving more than $250,000 on the overall project.  McCutchin said the site is also in close proximity to the courthouse which was a major factor.

A second public meeting will be held next Thursday at the Patterson Civic Center in Rockdale.