 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY HELD AT NEW FANNIN COUNTY JAIL AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Allen Rich - North Texas ENews
The groundbreaking for the new Fannin County Jail & Sheriff's Office may have been about more than just turning over some dirt. If all goes according to plan, the facility may turn out to be one of the major economic developments in recent county history.
Beds in the jail will be leased out to house federal, state or county prisoners. This concept will allow the 432-bed facility located at 2389 Silo Road to be built at no cost to local taxpayers because a portion of the revenue will be dedicated to repay construction costs.
The duration of the bond issuance will be just under 25 years and Fannin County would assume ownership of the facility at that time.
Fannin County will be allotted up to 155 beds to house prisoners at a negotiated rate of approximately $37-40 per day for each prisoner. If the county needs additional beds, then it would be at the lowest rate offered to other entities.
In addition, Fannin County will earn approximately $2.50 per day for every bed that is occupied in the facility. If the detention center can maintain a high occupancy rate, Fannin County officials are hoping that $2.50 per diem fee will "wash" or completely offset what it costs the county to house prisoners at the facility.
A "wash" would eliminate one of the biggest budget problems the county faces. In 2008, with two months left in the current fiscal year, Fannin County taxpayers have already had to dole out $316,000 to house prisoners out of county due to overcrowding at the Fannin County Jail.
Approximately 91,000 square feet of the new jail will be designed to house inmates, while the Fannin County Sheriff's Office will occupy another 7,500 square feet.
Once the new facility is up and running, the possibility exists that Fannin County might lease the 96-bed jail currently in use, which could create additional revenue.
The new 432-bed jail will be a long-term partnership between Fannin County, Corplan Corrections, Ltd. and Innovative Government Strategies. Hale-Mills Construction Ltd. is responsible for the design and construction of the project
At the formal groundbreaking ceremony August 28, Fannin County Judge Butch Henderson expressed gratitude to the team that has worked countless hours to develop this project.
(l-r) Bob Prince, Community Education Centers, Inc, government laison and Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd
Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd added that the new jail will generate tax dollars and bring jobs to the community. About 75 employees will be hired to staff the facility.
"After we get through the first year, this project should pay great dividends to the taxpayers of Fannin County," stated Fannin County Auditor Scott Dyer.
The publicly built, privately managed jail is scheduled to be online as by August 20, 2009.
A non-profit public facility corporation will act on behalf of the county, formally adopt by-laws, and serve as the facility's initial board of directors. The public facility corporation board consists of Fannin County Judge Butch Henderson, Fannin County Pct. 2 Commissioner Stan Barker, Fannin County Pct. 3 Commissioner Dewayne Strickland, Fannin County Sheriff Kenneth Moore and Fannin County Auditor Scott Dyer.
The estimated cost is just under $22.5 million and that allows for site development, furniture, fixtures, equipment and a built-in cushion that is designed into the process that supposedly will allow the facility to ramp up to full speed.
(l-r) Fannin County Commissioner Ronnie Rhudy, Warden Mary Karl, Constable Craig Nichols, District Clerk Nancy Young, Fannin County Clerk Tammy Rich, Fannin County Commissioner Dewayne Strickland and Judge Joe Dale
(l-r) Commissioner Pat Hilliard, Commissioner Stan Barker, Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd, Fannin County Judge Butch Henderson, Commissioner Dewayne Strickland, Commissioner Ronnie Rhudy and Fannin COunty Sheriff Kenneth Moore
Home | About Us | Projects | Articles | Contact Us..................................................................................© Copyright 2010 Corplan Corrections, Inc....