PERU (AP) — A study evaluating plans for a new Miami County jail has been put on hold until county officials can determine how much they can afford to spend on the building.
The Miami County commissioners hired consultants Kimme & Associates earlier this year to study how many beds are needed, develop a design and determine the new jail’s potential cost.
David Bostwick, corporate director with Kimme & Associates, said the county has now put that study on hold as it tries to determine how much it can finance. He said county officials are looking to hire a financial consultant.
“The amount the county can raise impacts how the jail is designed,” Bostwick said. “Another concern for county officials is the staffing requirements and operating costs of a new facility.”
Earlier this year the Miami County Council approved a 0.25 percent County Option Income Tax to raise money for the project.
Sheriff Ken Roland said he hopes the financial assessment is completed before the end of the year.
“The project is moving forward,” he said. “Progress is being made, we don’t want to rush into anything. We are still talking with people in an effort to gain knowledge and visiting other jails.”
The design will also have to take into account how many beds should be set aside for female prisoners, Bostwick said.
“Most smaller counties don’t have enough space to segregate the female and male prisoners,” Bostwick said. “It would be possible for Miami County to house prisoners from other counties to generate some revenue.”
The Department of Correction pays $35 per day for the housing of state inmates, Roland said.
The current jail has a capacity of 50 inmates. Bostwick said the average daily population is 75 and peaks at 90. The firm has recommended that Miami County construct a jail with 285 beds, which would meet the long-term needs of the county until 2030, Bostwick said.
Roland said the needs assessment study will provide what is needed for the next 10, 15 or 20 years. Officials are looking at possible sites in downtown Peru, at the former Grissom Air Force Base and the North Miami County Industrial Park, he said.
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Financing concerns put plans for new Miami Co. Jail on hold
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