During a recent government meeting, Supervisor Brown raised critical concerns regarding the proposed construction of a new jail facility. Expressing surprise at the suggestion of a \"no\" vote on the project, Brown emphasized the lack of concrete financial data necessary to justify such a significant investment.
Brown highlighted the current expenditure of $10,400 per inmate for housing in other jails, questioning the rationale behind potentially spending an estimated million dollars annually to operate a new facility while managing the same number of inmates. He pointed out the pressing need for detailed cost assessments, particularly regarding necessary repairs to the existing jail, including roof and door issues.
The supervisor suggested that the county could utilize existing spaces, such as a conference room, to alleviate some operational challenges without incurring the high costs associated with building a new jail. He reiterated the importance of obtaining specific figures to inform decision-making, stating, \"We need some numbers.\" Brown's remarks underscore a growing concern among officials about the financial implications of expanding jail infrastructure without a clear understanding of current needs and costs.