New jail or current jail upgrades will cost county
Staff reporter
Marion County Commission hired an independent jail consultant Monday to provide a needs analysis that will include start-up and operational costs.
Dr. Allen Beck of Justice Concepts, Inc., collected information Monday from the commission and Marion County Sheriff Lee Becker regarding the current status of the jail and whether a new facility is feasible.
Architect Tony Rangel of Law Kingdon, Inc., presented information to the commission regarding the successful Sumner County jail project which the firm designed and oversaw.
"Being truthful and honest made the Sumner County project successful," Rangel said.
Sumner County voters were presented with three options — improve the jail at the old site, build a new jail at a new site, or keep everything the same. Voters chose the second option.
Another interesting fact that Rangel told the commission was that when expenses were tallied for Sumner County Sheriff's Department over a 10-year period, it was determined that it was cheaper to build a new facility than to continue operations status quo.
Beck suggested the commission appoint a citizen jail committee to oversee the architects and present information to the public.
A letter from the state fire marshal's office requires the county to respond to fire safety concerns by Monday. Law Kingon will assist the county in responding.
Beck will present his information at a future meeting.
