The Samuels Group, the firm working with Webster County officials on the proposed new jail, offers answers to some common questions about the project. Voters will decide on Nov. 7 if the county should borrow $45.5 million to pay for the proposed new jail.

The Webster County Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff’s Office have been working diligently to determine the best, most fiscally sound, option for addressing concerns with the current jail. The proposed solution will provide a safer environment for the public, staff, and inmates. Great measures have been taken to ensure the new facility will feature a conservative design and the new construction is done right, while keeping future growth and needs in mind. Here are a few frequently asked questions:

Why should we build better housing for inmates?

This isn’t about building better housing for inmates. This is about providing a safer work environment for staff, protection for the public, and liability protection for Webster County. Additionally, the county is responsible for the health and safety of jail inmates and must provide a safe and humane environment, but it doesn’t mean the jail should be overly comfortable. Inmate accommodations will be simple and meet state codes.

What will happen with the old jail?

The current plan is for the Police Department to utilize much of the space. The jail will be semi-operational so the county is considering converting to dormitory space for people waiting to serve time.

Why does the capacity of the jail need to increase?

The existing jail has a capacity of 56 inmates. Webster County has a daily average of 75 to 90 inmates in custody. Because of this difference, the county is currently outsourcing inmates to five other counties and more than 1,000 people are waiting to serve their two to 20 day sentences. Classification requirements of the Department of Corrections such as gender, juvenile, medical/mental health issues, misdemeanor/felony, etc. also contribute to maximum capacity meaning the jail could be partially full but considered 100 percent full due to classification rules.

Why can’t the existing jail be renovated or expanded?

Renovation is not a feasible option as capacity and classifications are not the only issues with the current jail. The jail has a linear design (vs. podular design) which creates safety and security issues; the control room is a windowless room without a direct line of sight to the inmate spaces requiring staff to rely on camera live feeds to monitor inmates; the aging building is also running into a series of infrastructure problems.

What is the cost of housing inmates at other county jails?

Over the last five years, approximately $1.4 million has been spent housing Webster County inmates at other county jails. Housing costs were $918,279 plus an estimated $560,000 in vehicle and labor expenses.

What is the tax impact of this project?

Visit https://www.webstercountyvote.com/tax-impact and enter your parcel number to determine your estimated tax impact.

Will the tax impact rate go up over the 20-year span of the bond, if my assessed value continues to go up?

No, the number will stay the same for the 20-year span.

Where will the jail be built?

There is no predetermined site to preserve the land negotiation process. Access to utilities is important to minimize cost and easy access in and out of the facility.

For more information on the proposed jail and sheriff’s office, visit our website https://www.webstercountyvote.com/ and like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550768107149.