Here is the link to the agenda for tonights mtg: http://www.polknc.org/commissioners/b_o_c_meeting_agendas/docs/5-2-2016%20Agenda.pdf
BOC Meeting April 18, 2016 Mtg. minutes as reported by our volunteer reporter
There was an update from the firm completing the revaluation of real property in the county. Not much new was reported. As before, he said some values will go up and some will go down. They are finding “porches that are not right” and “outbuildings not noted.”
County Engineer Odom reported on the proposed repair of the Courthouse retaining wall. He recommends the entire wall be replaced and has bids ranging from $65,000 for segmented blocks to $113,000 for solid concrete. Gasperson asked if a decision could be postponed until the Board had a chance to look at the segmented blocks and all agreed.
* County Manager Pittman asked the Board for guidance on the proposed 100 cell jail: How to finance it, how to pay for it and where to put it. A majority did not want to finance with a general obligation bond which would require a referendum to be voted on by the citizens. They decided on a consumer loan. Taxes will have to be raised to pay the debt service. Pittman thinks the best site is the 6.5 acres where the 4-H building sits and says they have agreed to trade that land for 6.5 acres behind the Meeting Place in Columbus.
Next, they will need to determine the costs for site preparation, send the project out for bids and have the Local Government Commission approve the whole package. Pittman pushed the Board to decide whether or not they wanted this fast-tracked and the majority agreed they want it in place by November, when terms for 3 of them end. Gasperson was the loan dissenter, objecting to the chosen site and the method of financing.
According to Pittman, the forecast for the average daily census of prisoners by 2040 is 50.37. Ensuring their is enough capacity for growth IS a good idea, but based on the 2040 estimate of 50.37 prisoners a 100 cell jail may be a bit excessive (and more costly than a jail 1/2 the size).
Only one person spoke against this plan for the jail, pointing out that we do not need a 100 cell jail, and that even the County Manager himself stated there is no money to be made housing prisoners from elsewhere. Pittman estimates that once the new jail opens, the county will have the additional expense of hiring staff to run it (approximately $500,000 additional per year).
If you believe in small government you may want to let your elected commissioners know (or about any other issues). There emails are:
Chair: Michael Gage [email protected] (828) 894-3301
Vice Chair: Keith Holbert [email protected]
Tom Pack replacement: Ted Owens (email not listed)
Ray Gasperson [email protected]
Shane Bradley [email protected]
Link to article on new jail in North Wilkesboro: http://www.journalpatriot.com/news/jail-makes-money-on-non-wilkes-inmates/article_3ec49824-4118-11e5-9813-db56f8115b28.html