By SALINA POST
Aside from the presidential race, one of the bigger issues in the upcoming general election for Saline County voters is a proposed new Saline County Jail.
On the Nov. 3 ballot is a question concerning a proposed new Saline County Jail. The question is as follows.
The sales tax increase would generate approximately $6 million annually, according to information from the county. Should the tax increase be approved, the difference in sales tax paid on a $100 purchase after tax increase is enacted is fifty cents, the county noted. Additionally, approximately 25 percent of county sales tax revenue comes from out-of-county residents, according to the county.
Sheriff Roger Soldan and other county officials have conducted public forums, met with community groups, and even talked with individuals about the need for a new jail. A portion of the county website is devoted to Jail Project 2020. On it citizens will find a wealth of information, a schematic, and videos about the need for a new jail.
A number of studies, including a needs assessment, have been completed to provide recommendations on proposed project and future capacity projections, according to information from the county.
As we reported in August, the proposal is more than just the Saline County Sheriff's Office wanting a new facility. The jail population has exceeded capacity since 2009, forcing the county to pay other jails to house excess Saline County inmates. According to information from the county, "the average annual number of trips made to transport inmates to other facilities is 600," further adding to the county's cost to house excess inmates in other counties.
Additionally, in the information flier about the need for a new jail, the county identifies a number of deficiencies in the current jail, including the following.
●Not compliant with modern jail standards
●Inefficient facility, requiring increased inmate movement and decreasing staff safety
●Leaking pipes
●Rusted elevator
●Insufficient medical areas
●Insufficient technology infrastructure
●Insufficient isolation and individual cells for quarantine
●No medical and negative air flow cells
Some of those deficiencies can be seen in the following video tour available on the Jail Project 2020 web page.
For more information about Jail Project 2020, click here.