By Derek Spellman
dspellman@joplinglobe.com
NEOSHO, Mo. — Newton County will solicit bids in the coming months for the expansion of the jail, although a decision about whether to proceed with the project will depend on costs, the county commissioners said Thursday.
The County Commission recently met with a bond consultant to discuss the use of $1.47 million in Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds toward the cost of the expansion. The bonds, made available through the federal stimulus program, allow local governments to issue their own bonds for public projects and to be reimbursed by the federal government for 45 percent of the interest that they pay.
The county would use the new Build America Bonds — also available under the federal stimulus program — to finance the rest. The federal government reimburses 35 percent of the interest paid on those bonds.
But whether county embarks on the project next year will depend on what kind of construction bids come back, Presiding Commissioner Jerry Carter said.
The cost is roughly forecast at about $3.5 million, assuming an expansion of between 40 and 50 additional beds. The county also would look at expanding the book-in area, kitchen and laundry. The bonds would be paid off through the county’s general revenue fund over 15 years.
Carter said the county first will issue a request of qualifications for architects to draw up plans for the expansion. Afterward, it will solicit bids for construction. The bids will determine whether the county does the expansion next year.
“We hope to be making the decision in February,” Carter said.
Sheriff Ken Copeland said the jail has 80 beds. He said the inmate population has averaged about 103 per day this year, and for several weeks last summer the population reached 137.
“It’s needed desperately,” Copeland said of the expansion, saying inmates must sleep on mattresses on the floor when all the beds are filled.
He said the county also has limited means for inmates who have medical issues, for people who are on suicide watch and for sex offenders who must be isolated from the rest of the population.
“I know money is tight,” Copeland said.
Yet the county announced some good news Thursday.
Sales tax revenue received this month totaled $360, 813, compared with about $351,000 received in November 2008.
“This ended 11 straight months of decline,” Carter said.
For the year to date, sales tax revenue is down a little under 5 percent compared with last year’s figure. The county has collected $4,908,615 so far this year, compared with $5,165,000 by this time last year.
The county had budgeted for a 2 percent increase in sales tax revenue this year.
The county will start reviewing budgets for the next fiscal year on Tuesday. Carter said the county will budget for next year’s sales tax revenue to be the same as this year’s.
County’s fiscal year
Newton County’s fiscal year tracks with the calendar year.
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Newton County eyes jail expansion
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