The Reno County Jail Committee met Tuesday to discuss issues surrounding the proposed jail and met with a representative with Piper Jaffrey, Greg Vahrenberg
He outlined aspects of a quarter and half cent sales tax to fund a 25-million-dollar-jail bond issue.
After a lengthy discussion, the committee recommend to county commissioners a half cent sales tax be submitted to voters next April. Motion was unanimously approved.
Reno County Commissioner Dan Deming reported on legislative approval of Reno County’s jail land acquisition bill, crediting late sessions efforts by Rep. Mike O’Neal along with assistant from Sen. Terry Bruce and Commissioner Brad Dillon for successful passage.
The Committee re-visited whether a public opinion survey, estimated to cost about $15,000, would be helpful in presenting the sales tax/bond issue to voters.
It was agreed that copies of a complete survey done in Missouri will be mailed to committee members for their review.
Commission Dillon reported on the selection of J.E. Dunn, Topeka, as construction manager at risk for the jail project. Dunn will not charge the county for services prior to the bond election, with a three phase contract being discussed.
County Administrator Gary Meagher advised that fees and scope of services will be better known after the bond issue is approved and specifics are developed.
The committee continued a lengthy discussion of whether an elevator, courthouse security, law center renovation should be included in the jail bond issue. Also discussed was a proposal that would move the county treasurer, clerk and register of deeds to the jail annex in lieu of installing a prisoner transportation elevator. It was then decided against an elevator as part of the bond issue.
It was agreed that the county commission will discuss whether it is receptive to studying moving some offices from the courthouse to the jail annex, along with a possible architect’s report on jail annex renovation costs and other costs related to such a move. Commissioner Dillon said if offices are to be moved from the courthouse, empty space at the Hutchinson Mall might be more practical.
Also to be explored is whether there are any statutes requiring certain offices to remain in the courthouse.