COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners decided during their work session Wednesday to bring forward to next week’s meeting their formal action on a millage question for a new county jail.
They are scheduled to formally vote next Tuesday on having a 20 year request for up to 1.25 mills per year put on the August primary ballot. The language has to be submitted to the County Clerks office by May 15th.
If approved, the new 184 bed jail would be built behind the current lockup.
Commissioner Terri Norris pointed out the Branch County Jail used to be a senior care facility until the early 1990’s.
The current jail has a capacity for 140 inmates and constant overcrowding is one of the reasons why Commissioners and others feel a new jail is needed.
County Administrator Bud Norman says there would be an option to refinance in the seventh year depending on economic conditions.
Commissioner Leonard Kolcz said a jail upkeep millage expires in 2021.
It will be the county’s third attempt to pass a jail millage. Previous attempts in 2006 and 2016 failed. Some observers felt the jail millage was defeated two years ago because Branch County voters were mad about road patrol deputies getting laid off.
