Friday, April 17, 2015

Intermodal Meeting Turns Into Regional Jail Discussion


After dealing with regular business including financial and project reports, the Southeast Arkansas Intermodal Authority Board spent a large portion of their meeting listening to and discussing ideas concerning the construction of a regional jail that would hold county and state prisoners.  The concept was brought up by Drew County Judge Robert Akin and Bradley County Judge Keith Neely.

According to the Judges, there has been a meeting and discussion about the possibility of building a 150 -200 bed jail that would serve Bradley, Cleveland, Drew and Lincoln counties.  The facility would be built in a location easy for all four counties to access and the intermodal site or land close to the site has been talked about.  There will be a need for 10-20 acres with full utility services available.  No final decisions have been made and no financial plan has been approved or put in place.



There could be several options to paying for such a project.  A bond issue could be used or a private company could build and operate the jail and contract with the state and the counties to house inmates.  Any way it is done the counties would have to agree to pay for a certain number of beds annually.  According to State Representative Jeff Wardlaw the southeast area is high on the states list for some type jail.  All in attendance seemed to agree a jail is needed and a multi-county facility would be the most cost effective but the details of location and cost still must be dealt with.  There was some concerned voiced about having a jail/prison close to the City of Monticello ball complex which is very near the intermodal property.  The four counties are to put together a firm plan and further discussions will occur.

After the meeting there was talk about whether or not and under what circumstances the counties can enter a multi-year agreement to pay for jail services, especially if a private company is involved.  Without issuing bonds, the counties normally cannot enter a contract to exceed one year at a time.  This will have to to legally researched.  Some in attendance thought the law had been changed to allow such agreements.

The board voted to pay bills in the amount of $116,192.97.  The authority now owes $333,004.99 to Commercial Bank under the revolving line of credit.  The two cities and two counties are shown owing $339,908.99 with the two counties both owing over $100,000.00 each.  Grants continue to be used to help pay construction coast for development of the intermodal park.

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