by
Fred Swift
Hamilton County Reporter
Funding for a major expansion of the Hamilton County Jail will be requested by County Commissioners at the Dec. 6 meeting of the County Council. Commissioners in their Monday meeting voted to request an appropriation of $16.7 million in order to increase jail capacity from the current 296 to about 550.
Overcrowding has been a problem at the 24-year-old jail for some time. In recent months, female inmates were moved to the Juvenile Detention Center, and juveniles were moved elsewhere on the corrections campus to give temporary relief at the jail.
But long-term with the county population soaring, commissioners say major expansion in anticipation of future needs is necessary. When the expansion was discussed earlier, council members felt building to a capacity of about 420 would be adequate.
But on Monday commissioners were given cost estimates that showed the greater expansion would only increase the cost from $12.2 million to $16.7 million. Believing it would be wise to plan ahead for anticipated needs, the board decided to seek the greater amount. Whatever figure is approved by council, the project is expected to be bid in January or February of next year. The current jail was completed in 1993, and since that time the juvenile center and a Community Corrections work release facility has been added on the Cumberland Road campus.
In other action at their regular meeting, commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with Carmel officials on the planned Lowes Way extension, a project that will allow direct highway access from 146th Street to southbound Keystone Parkway. Construction is expected to begin early next year.
Also approved were plans to design a roundabout at 191st Street and Grassy Branch Road in Washington Township. Compensation agreements in lieu of statutory fees were signed for 2018 compensation for the county surveyor, Kenton Ward, at $104,000, and county clerk Tammy Baitz at $118,000.
And commissioners approved plans for leveling an abandoned house at 5263 E. 156th St., Noblesvillle. Neighbors said the house is an eyesore and harbors possible illegal activities. Actual demolition will follow a 30 day warning period to the owners.