By Traci Chapman/Staff Writer
published May 7, 2008

Backers of a sales tax measure that would more than triple the size of the county jail will learn the measure’s fate Tuesday when county voters head to the polls.

The jail proposed by Sheriff Lewis Hawkins and architect Billy Knowles is a two-story building that would house up to 264 prisoners. Hawkins said the jail has approximately 63,000 square feet on the first floor, which includes holding cells, two medical cells for anyone with a communicable disease, such as hepatitis or AIDS, and two suicide watch cells. The current jail was built to hold 72 prisoners.

If voters approve the project, the $24.8 million facility would result in a county sales tax increase of .35 of a cent for 15 years — the life of the loan on the proposed complex — then scale down to .25 of a cent permanent increase.

The bottom line for shoppers would be the additional 35 cents in tax for every $100 worth of goods or services purchased in the county through 2023. After the construction loan is paid, that amount would go down to a 25-cent increase for every $100 in county purchases. Tax rates would increase beginning Oct. 1.

Construction on the jail would begin in 2009, with an anticipated opening date of January 2011.

Under the new design, the booking area and kitchen are also located on the first floor, as well as a large “vehicular sallyport.” A sallyport is a secure passage that has two doors — the first shutting before the second is opened — which is used for moving prisoners between locations.
The 14,000-square foot second floor contains additional cells, as well as a sallyport between the jail and county courthouse.