Attendees vote on jail plans at hearing

Sticky note voting continues on the proposed $125 million jail bond package as it was presented in Whitehouse Tuesday night to approximately 45 people.

Following a slide and video presentation by Jeff Bradley of HDR Architecture, those in attendance were asked to "vote" for their favorite rendering of the proposed facilities by placing the yellow "stickies" on the posters in the City of Whitehouse hallway.

Bradley took the audience through the phases planned out to complete the Smith County Justice Complex which, at this time, would include a jail tower, a low-risk facility and a law enforcement building. The plan allows for using several pieces of property already owned by the county.

During Bradley's description of the proposed 1,104-bed jail, Smith County Auditor Ann Wilson explained the cost of operating this facility. With a larger jail, not only would the county be able to house all of their own inmates but would also be available to house inmates from other counties. Wilson estimated a net profit of $250,000 per year.

Bradley emphasized the urgency of the issue. Not only is the county paying out an average of $41 per day for each inmate housed in other counties, but the cost of construction rises $8 to $12 million for each year the county waits to build.

"The county is spending $4 million in out-of-county expenses and as demand for space goes up, so does the cost," said Bradley.

Voting on the package is set for Nov. 6 with early voting beginning Oct. 22.