HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Commissioner Dan Deming said the bonds issued for the new jail will be paid off sooner than expected.

In fact, the total cost for the new jail and work at the Reno County Courthouse is nearly $1 million less than the original estimate. Instead of being paid off in 2023 — the original estimate — the bonds are now expected to be paid by 2020. That means the half-cent sales tax approved by voters will also go away that year as well.

The actual savings from the estimate is $973,781.

Deming commended the work of Maintenance Director Harlan Depew and County Administrator Gary Meagher, who oversaw the project for the jail; the new security entrance at the courthouse; renovation of the old jail; the conversion of the old jail annex to house four county departments; and a reimbursement to the county general fund — which will come to $141,423.