The Dixon County Board of Supervisors has begun a process of reviewing the Dixon County Jail, and by extension, the courthouse, and will be seeking input from the county constituents, after receiving a “Jail Needs Assessment.”
The “Needs Assessment” identified issues that could “create real safety concerns for both our county employees, law officers and our residents” said a release from the County this past week.
Because some of the named issues and others identified in the Needs Assessment, the County Board of supervisors invited county cities and villages representatives to tour the courthouse and help with an assessment of the historic building.
A citizens group of 12 people from Dixon county towns and villages along with the board of supervisors participated in a tour and follow up discussion. This citizens group recommended to the board of supervisors to proceed with gathering more information and exploring options.
As regulated by state guidelines, a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Jail Needs Assessment was the first step. Prochaska & Associates from Omaha was selected to proceed with the jail assessment and their final report link can be found on the county website here or https://co.dixon.ne.us/webpages/links/public_notices.html.
Part of that proposal, which is all still just in the “information/speculation stage” – where the supervisors are attempting to determine which path to take was some of the highpoints of the Phase II plan for the following:
* Possible bond election by August-October of this year – the Supervisors could take the jail to a vote of the people if needed on a bond election by a vote at their regular meetings;
* The Primary concept design put forth as an early prototype could include a Jail of up to 14 inmate capacity, and holding for seven inmates;
* A Preliminary budget showing a number of factors, including a savings over 30 years for housing paid by Dixon County to other jails of an estimated $1.2 million; create an income of $94,900 per year with 4-beds at $65 per day; and a total staff projected at near 30 members with the full plan.
* A 16-bed Law Enforcement center could cost between $7.5 million to $10.6 million for construction “hard costs” – for a total project ranging from $9.4 million to $13.2 million.
Guided by the Citizens Group recommendation, the county supervisors voted at the public meeting in January to continue working with Prochaska & Associates on Phase II.
Which will further look into “what are the future needs of the courthouse and jail facilities for the residents and staff in Dixon County?”
The board of Supervisors will be planning an open house to encourage Dixon County residents to see for themselves and offer input to determine the best future for Dixon County residents.
Constituents are also asked to share their ideas and suggestions with their county supervisor.
Some of the “Needs Assessment” identified issues included:
Plus:
Sheriff’s office and jail occupy the third floor of the 1940 addition
Outside inmate/criminal offload is shared with county staff and public
Staff can be required to carry sick, intoxicated or disabled inmates up 4-flights of stairs to the jail
Courthouse staff and public share the same stairs as inmates/criminals/arrestees
Does not meet ADA (American with Disabilities Act) requirements
Criminals/arrestees can hear staff conversations throughout booking and control room from booking cells
Current facility requires more staff per inmate than modern jail facilities
Booking dispatch and operation control station space is combined allowing inmates in close proximity to the operation control center and dispatch stations.