First Step In Bonding Process For Putnam Co Jail Approved

Putnam County Commissioners began the bond process for the county jail addition.

A state law requires counties wishing to issue bonds for a jail to pre-advertise before approving the issuance.

Sheriff Eddie Farris said construction costs have been the main reason the department has not asked the county for money to build. Farris said construction companies would not lock their prices in to avoid costs going over budget.

“The construction company Bell Construction had been able to do that and lock those prices in,” Farris said. “That’s why we’re moving forward, we feel comfortable coming. Once we agree on the design and I certainly hope that’s the design the commission picks but once we approve that then that price will be locked in.”

The advertised bond amount stands at $53 million. County Mayor Randy Porter said that is simply a not-to-exceed number.

Farris said if the design is approved it will add another 481 beds to the facility, with room for 200 future beds.

“It will be built in a way that it can also build on top of the floors and continue going up if necessary in the future,” Farris said. “I feel good about the design and look forward to getting started.”

Farris said the original plan was to begin this process in the spring, but wanted to wait on prices. Farris said he visited manufacturers out of state to see about locking in pricing but was unsuccessful at that time.