VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The estimated cost to taxpayers to build a new Barnes County jail has been released by county auditor Beth Didier.
She said the estimated cost for the proposed jail would cost those who own property valued at $100,000 an additional $45 for a residential property or $50 for an Ag or commercial property per year over a 20 year period.
On an average quarter section of land, the cost to the landowner would increase by $82.72 per year over a 20 year period.
The tax increase includes only the cost of building the new facility and does not reflect the annual operating cost of the new jail. Currently, the budget for corrections is at $1,150,282 which equals 13.70 mills.
On February 5th, the Barnes County Commission held two informational meetings to accept public input about the proposed jail. The estimated cost to build a new jail is $11.9 million and additional $4.4 million for a new sheriff’s office.
Several people asked what the monthly or yearly cost would be to run the new jail. Didier said county officials are still working to get that estimated operating cost.
The Barnes County Commission will discuss their jail financing options during a regular board meeting on Tuesday, February 18th the meeting starts at 8am.
The Barnes County Sheriff’s office also released the transportation cost to the county for transporting inmates to other jail facilities in 2019 being the state will only allow inmates to be housed in the current jail for a few days. The numbers are attached below.