After giving a prepared speech, Dearborn County council member Jim Hughes asked for another vote on bringing the county jail expansion issue to a referendum vote before the public on the November ballot.

Again, similar to past attempts, he and councilman Dan Lansing were out voted.

So plans continue to move along for the proposed expansion without a public vote.

During council’s Tuesday night May 22, meeting, county administrator Terri Randall updated members on the progress of the proposed expansion.

After reviewing historical milestones of the process, she told council members she had met with architects RQAW, along with newly hired construction managers Maxwell Construction, to review historical drawings and the progression on the project, said Randall.

They want to make sure the current design gave the county the most for its investment, she said.
Jeff Lyness, of Maxwell Construction, said a budget review analysis had been completed, with confirmation the proposed expansion would cost up to $9.3 million.
Soil borings on the site, including the Votaw/Shumway property across the street, will be conducted for $6,175, under what was budgeted. They expect the borings to be completed the first week in June, said Lyness.

Commissioners have agreed to place the architecture work out for bid, although the county has worked with RQAW up to this point, said Randall.
A request for qualifications will be prepared for architecture on the remainder of the project and jail visits will be made to facilities of similar size and scope in the state, said Lyness.

Answers to other questions also are being gathered including staffing needs for the proposed facility, utilities and maintenance costs, video visitation, and labor and wages, he said.