But, a new jail would require new taxes to pay for it. Finance consultant Susan Musselman told the City Council that the committee has decided that a county-wide sales tax increase of three-tenths of one percent would be needed. And, she explained that the new tax would need to be approved by voters.
County Sheriff Will Reichardt told the Council that the current jail is overcrowded and dangerous. “We’ve had some sexual assaults up in the jail that never would’ve happened if we had the ability to divide people.” he said.
Reichardt said deputies receive threats against their safety. He said one inmate even threatened "maximum blood loss."
Reichardt said about there are about 190 prisoners in the jail today, about double what the jail was designed for. A new jail would be designed for 300-400 prisoners, according to Estvold. He told the Council there are three properties under consideration. All would allow future expansion.
For about six months now, a committee made up of mayors, judges and the county commissioners has been meeting to find a solution to the overcrowded jail.