First steps taken for new jail

At their March 8 meeting, Grant County Commissioners approved $15,000 to HMN Architects of Overland Park for a “Pre-Referendum Proposal” concerning the building or remodel of the existing Grant County Jail/Law Enforcement Center.

The scope of services of the “Justice Center” proposal will be to provide two options: remodel or replace the existing sheriff’s office and jail. The report will include identifying building code and ACA deficiencies; assess new facility space needs and layout; site evaluation for both options; preliminary plans, design and presentation materials; probable cost estimate opinion; cost of ownership, operations, staffing, utilities and maintenance; project schedule based on a November 2023 election; and to attend public meetings to support the County and provide presentation materials. If inmate population projections are requested or structural analysis is needed or other specialized engineering, a third-party consultant will be utilized. HMN would provide all of these items on an hourly expense basis not to exceed $15,000. On passage of question and the project moving for-ward, the $15,000 will be credited toward the construction documents.

This is just the first step to begin planning for the construction of a new Grant County jail. The ex-isting jail was built in 1971; the Administration and training offices in the early 2000s.

Sewer problems, Disabled accessibility, outside security and space limitations are just some of the concerns authorities think need addressed in the 52 year old building. But these issues are only the tip of the difficulty facing the financing of the project. Like everything, everywhere, citywide, countywide, nationwide… inflation, fuel prices, construction costs and building supply availability… will play a major part. And that’s not the only hiccup.

Commissioners could use two different avenues to pay for the project. First solution: a one percent sales tax could be utilized to pay for the project, with the sales tax ending on the final payment of the project. However, as counties are not allowed to assess a tax without State permission, the process needed to receive permission requires several steps in the State Legislature. The second avenue would require county ad valorem taxes (based on property valuations) to be raised. Both paths to approving the project would need to go before Grant County voters.

Commissioner Marty Long traveled to Topeka March 9 to testify to House Bill 2421, an act that would allow Grant County a countywide retailer’s sales tax authority, authorizing Grant County to place a question on the ballot imposing the countywide sales tax to finance the construction and remodel of the jail facility.  If HB 2421 is approved in committee, it will proceed to the Kansas House, and if passing the House, will then proceed to the Kansas Senate for approval. This process can take several months. For the project question to be placed on the November ballot, these pro-cedures have to be completed and approved by August 30.

Long’s committee testimony on the project and the request for tax authorization can be viewed on the Kansas Legislature youtube channel.