The Jackson County Board of Supervisors has officially added the “Detention Center Bond” to the November 2008 ballot. All of the County’s registered voters will have the chance to approve or reject a short term loan to fund the replacement of the current Adult Detention Center (ADC).

“This bond is the most cost efficient way to replace our aging jail with a safer Adult Detention Center,” Board President John McKay, said. “The County’s outstanding credit ranking will allow us to get a low interest fixed rate loan. If the bond issue fails, the Board will be forced to use more expensive ways to pay for the replacement.”

The current jail was built in 1979 and its 170 bed design is struggling to keep up with the current demand. Several factors behind this demand include a County-wide population increase, a rise in drug addictions and drug related crimes.

The replacement ADC will be a 540 bed facility costing $22 million. The Board has invested three years of research into the Detention Center’s design. The plan calls for a one story complex with the “look of a large office complex.” State law requires that the County’s detention center be located in the County seat – Pascagoula.

“While location clearly has been an issue this bond referendum only deals with financing, not location. Regardless of the vote’s outcome, the County must replace the current jail,” District 1 Supervisor Manly Barton said.

In response to citizen’s concerns, supervisors this spring met with residents again and reexamined more than a dozen locations. The Board concluded the most feasible location for the replacement detention center was at the same site.

Another important factor behind the Board’s decision to include the bond referendum on the November ballot is possible litigation.

“The jail in its present state is the biggest potential liability facing the County. It’s an issue that affects every resident. One way or another we have to deal with this issue. We believe a bond will save the taxpayers money in the long run,” Barton said. 

Construction is expected to take more than two years and the Board of Supervisors is committed to using local and regional contractors.

The “Detention Center Bond” vote is officially a special election but will be on the same ballot as the Presidential and Senatorial races. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Residents must be registered through the Circuit Clerk’s Office by Friday, Oct. 3, 2008 in order to vote in this year’s elections.