Vigo County Council members continue to listen to jail concerns

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News


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Several residents addressed the Vigo County Council tonight, just following an executive session the council members attended with county commissioners -- reportedly on litigation regarding the proposed new jail.

While information hasn't been made public from that particular meeting, many audience members reminded Council President Bill Thomas and members Tim Culey, Aaron Loudermilk, Kathy Miller, Brendan Kearns, Mike Morris and Jim Mann how important transparency is in the planning process.  

So far, the same audience members are not convinced that a bigger jail is needed to handle the inmate population, nor do they believe the costs for building a nearly $70 million new security complex are justified. Overall, the concerned citizens told the council members they are counting on them to step up and get more answers before proceeding with jail plans.

Thomas assured them the questions would be asked. 

" We hear you," Thomas said. "We have a lot of questions, and I will be putting those questions to the commissioners in writing. What will it cost to operate and maintain that jail?"

A less costly option of building two pods and renovating the exisiting facility near the courthouse on Third Street would cost about half as much as building the complex about five miles south of its current location.The commissoiners have suggested property at SR 63 and Springhill Road, near the federal prison, as the tentative building site. Construction is expected to cost  an estimated $68 million.

A few audience members approaching the lectern at the meeting reflected on Kearns' recent unscientific poll showing a majority in favor improving the existing jail building, including Andre Kummerow, Mike Gordon and John Kite. They indicated the poll was better than other information presented up to  this point in the jail planning. They'd like to see a comprehensive study.

Kearns' poll reflects the popularity of building onto the current site. In fact,  812 participants responded to the survey with 60.84 percent in favor. A nearly $70 million new jail constructed away from the current site, with a local option income tax increase to help fund it, had less favorable approval, at  15.49 percent.


In other business, the council approved the following appropriations:

•  $20,000 for Vigo County Prosecutor's Office for law enforcement grants for special investigations.
•  $16,000 appropriation for the Public Defender's office for the preparation and filing of transcripts and for office furniture.
• Transfer of existing appropriation of $33,342 from payroll to amenity improvements at Griffin Bike Park.