Chickasaw County to Get Feasibility Study on Jail Facilities
The future of the Chickasaw County Jail is the focus of a feasibility study being considered by the Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors.
The current jail in New Hampton is 65-years-old and sheriff’s Chief Deputy Ryan Shawver told supervisors during their regular meeting Monday morning that the facility has needed upgrades almost from the time it was built.
Sheriff Marty Hemann says state jail inspector reports from 2017 and 2019 said the County has done a good job of enhancements over the years to keep the jail operational, but highly recommended a 5-to-20-year plan for bringing it up to today’s standards.
However, Hemann also noted that some limitations of the current jail have resulted in cost savings in some areas.
Shawver says the feasibility study will give the County cost analysis for options that include building a new county jail, adding onto the existing building, and the possibility of a shared law enforcement center with the New Hampton Police Department.
Shawver estimated the study would cost about $15,000 to $20,000, which supervisors agreed could be paid for with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The board asked for the sheriff’s office to bring back feasibility study pricing options for their consideration first.
