Stone County voters are getting a second opportunity in Tuesday’s primary election to approve a new jail to meet the state’s mandated minimum standards.
In casting their votes, they will decide if Stone County constructs a new jail or pays other counties to house its prisoners. Covering the cost of housing inmates is not an option for counties under Arkansas’s constitution.
One year ago, voters overwhelmingly defeated two proposals to address jail standard deficiencies.
Still under a directive from the state’s Criminal Detention Facilities Review Committee, county officials returned to the drawing board.
After hosting meetings and talking with citizens over the past year, voters are being asked to consider what is being called the Stone County Rehabilitation and Detention Center 2020. The proposal calls for a temporary one-half cent sales and use tax to cover the cost of a bond of just under $6 million for the construction of a 60-bed facility. Officials estimate the payoff of the bond in eight years or less.
The second piece of the proposal is an ongoing one-quarter cent sales tax for operations and maintenance of the jail. The combined sales taxes of three-quarters of a cent will take the county’s total sales tax rate to 10.25%.
Stone County Chief Deputy Zach Alexander says the proposal is designed to address multiple deficiencies in the current facility constructed in 1994.
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The current jail licensed for 39 inmates had an average census of 45 last year.
In addition to providing more beds, the new facility would increase space for female prisoners, now at six with census running between 12 and 15.
County Judge Stacey Avey says other issues would also be addressed, including classification of prisoners and personnel.
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If voters approve the proposal for a new facility, the current detention center would be used as a rehabilitation center for prisoners and for offices for employees. Alexander and Avey says the plans for the rehabilitation center are in response to citizen input. They say services such as GED instruction and addiction treatment will be provided to the extend allowed in a facility like this.
They also note the architectural firm will be working with a local construction manager in an effort to utilize as much area labor and materials as possible.
Judge Avey says should voters not approve the initiative, the state’s Criminal Detention Facilities Review Committee will meet with county officials to move forward.
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Housing 20-25 inmates at other locations is estimated to cost Stone County at least $500,000 annually.
Alexander and Avey note transporting prisoners to facilities in other counties will leave fewer officers in Stone County to respond to the safety needs of citizens.
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