Despite efforts by the county sheriff and the board of commissioners, Tuscola County voters once again voted against a proposal seeking to upgrade and/or replace the jail.
Unofficial voter counts from Tuscola County shows that the measure was rejected by about 59% of those casting ballots in yesterday’s special election, compared to last November’s 54%.
The proposal both times has made clear that the county intends to borrow $44 million for the project, but voters expressed curiosity and unease with not knowing how the $44 million would be spent specifically for the project. In addition to the initial costs, the proposal also sought approval to issue unlimited tax bonds in one or more series to cover subsequent costs.
With 30 years being the maximum that a series of bonds can be outstanding in Michigan, the proposal suggested a rate of 0.9829 mills (or about 98 cents per $1000 of taxable value) for the first levy year. The proposed millage would raise a little more than two million dollars for bond repayment in the first year of the levy, costing taxpayers $78 each.
According to Tuscola County Sheriff Glenn Skrent, the facilities are in desperate need of renovation or replacement, with the proposal mentioning that the money would be going to pay construction, furnishing and equipping costs. The current jail was built in 1965, and since then, with two expansions and multiple renovations already completed, the facility still has less than 100 beds. The proposal sought to fund the building of an over 26,000 square-foot-facility housing 120 beds.
It is not clear what the county’s next steps will be following this second rejection.
