No decision made on new jail study yet

Discussions about conducting a feasibility study for a new jail continued Monday as Thomas "Artie" Lucas, of Goldberg, Sullivan, McCrerey Architects and Planners Inc., returned to speak to Bourbon County Commissioners about the topic.

Lucas came back to answer any questions commissioners had regarding a proposed contract he has sent over after an initial meeting on May 2. The contract that would allow GS&M to complete a study to investigate the best ways to solve the county's jail overcrowding problem.

Commissioners informed Lucas that Bourbon County Attorney Terri Johnson reviewed the document and had no objections, however, the commission did not sign the contract. Keeping the commission from signing the document is finding the $3,500 to pay for the study.

Commission Chairman J.W. "Jingles" Endicott asked Lucas how long the offer stands if the county chose to hold off on signing the agreement. Lucas said he does not foresee the cost of the study increasing, but construction expenses could increase by the time commissioners make a decision.

Following the discussion, commissioners decided to evaluate the budget to see if there would be a way to fund the study.

"Crime is not going to go away ... I would like to know what our options are," Endicott said.

The study would evaluate costs for construction and operation, possible revenue sources and the financial feasibility of building a new facility or renovating the current one. When completed, the study would provide several different options from which commissioners could chose.

"It's an investment in your future," Lucas said.

Bourbon County Undersheriff Bill Martin said although the budget is tight now, the county needs to be thinking about long-term solutions.

"We are past the need. This is something that needs to be done," Martin said. "We don't need a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound. That is what we're doing now."

Lucas told commissioners that just having the study done will not make anything final.

After the study is completed, the county can choose to proceed with GS&M, with a different architectural firm, or do nothing.

He added that having the study done is "a good first step."

If the commission decides to go forward with the study, Lucas said it would take six to eight weeks to finish.

The Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center was built more than 30 years ago to accommodate 25 inmates, however, it has held has held as many as 70 inmates at one time. Over the last four years, Bourbon County has spent nearly $300,000 -- in housing alone -- to send inmates to other counties, in addition to $6,400 each month to house juvenile offenders in the Southeast Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Girard. A majority of the inmates that leave Bourbon County are sent to Cherokee County and contribute to the $650,000 generated annually though housing inmates from other areas.

GS&M, based in St. Joseph, Mo., has designed more than 100 jail facilities across the United States, including facilities in Cherokee County and Vernon County, Mo.