Commissioners discuss joint law enforcement center

The Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners reviewed a feasibility study for a joint law enforcement facility on Monday during its regular twice-monthly meeting. The review was presented by architects and a consultant tasked with examining what a facility that combined the sheriff’s office, police department and jail would look like.

The county feasibility study comes about a year after the Sidney Police Department completed a study of its current building, which recommended a new facility at a cost of $3 million to $4 million.

In October, Cheyenne County Sheriff John Jenson and Sidney Police Chief BJ Wilkinson asked the commissioners to move forward with a feasibility study examining the two law enforcement agencies sharing a building.

This week, Mark Martin – an operational consultant – along with Matt Krause and Mike West of Carlson West Povondra Architects discussed the results of the study.

Martin led the discussion and said the needs assessment and feasibility study was meant to answer broad questions: what size of jail is needed, what kind of jail and is new construction required or can the old facility be renovated.

By examining population trends in the county along with arrest records and the annual jail population, Martin said he recommended a jail that could accommodate 42-48 inmates.

The current jail was built nearly 50 years and is non-compliant with numerous safety and security orders. Because of its age, though, it has been grandfathered in and allowed to continue operation. Initially constructed to hold 20 inmates, the building lacks a secure entrance and intake and booking area, secure control room and is unable to accept female prisoners.

The limited capacity has required the county to pay nearly $1 million in the past seven years to house prisoners at other jails, Jenson added. With the increased capacity of a new facility, the county could instead be able to collect money from other jurisdictions in exchange for taking their prisoners.

Although he noted it was preliminary figure, Martin estimated the larger jail would require nine additional staff.

“But how does that compare to what you are spending now on the jail, on housing people out of county?” Martin asked. “And what is the chance of being able to raise money from housing other inmates? That’s all part of the funding mix you will have to take into consideration.”

Krause and West presented potential options for expanding the jail – including renovating the current jail and adding space for the sheriff’s office and police department, or constructing an entirely new building.

The estimated project cost of expanding the current building is $16 million with a three-year time frame, and building on a new site has a price tag of $15 million – not including the cost of purchasing the property – and a two-and-a-half year time frame.

Wilkinson and Jenson said their departments need new buildings and a new jail has been necessary for a long time.

“There’s no question I think from anyone in the room,” Wilkinson said. “We’ve all swollen to the point we’ve exceeded the life expectancy of the places we are. I think the real question is where will we put it, how will we fund it and whether or not the governing bodies have a way to see the same as the boots on the ground.”

Jenson said his biggest issue is an adequate jail.

“The former sheriff tried to get a jail and the commissioners wouldn’t even look at it,” he said. “We can’t just keep kicking this ball down the road.”

All three commissioners along with Sidney City Manager Gary Person, who was present for the discussion, voiced support for the law enforcement center.

“Let’s not let it die,” commissioner chairman Darrell Johnson said. “Let’s keep it going and figure out if it’s what the county wants and needs, and figure out how to do it.”

While no formal action was taken on the plan, Johnson said he would meet with Sidney Mayor Mark Nienhueser in the near future to discuss further the joint county and city plan.

Also at the meeting:

The commissioners passed a resolution supporting Legislative Bill 326, which would strengthen marijuana laws, and rebuking LB 189, which would lessen some cases of marijuana possession to an infraction.

Roger Conley, Cheyenne County building and grounds superintendent, discussed options for repairing the heating and air condition system at the county courthouse. Because of the location of the equipment that needs replacement – and the size restrictions of accessing that location – either a custom unit would have to be built or heat coils added to the existing system. The contractor will continue to investigate the most economical fix.

The next Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for March 16 at 8 a.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room at the courthouse.